UN concerned over ‘threat of a severe nuclear accident’ as Russian forces evacuate civilians near Europe’s largest nuclear facility

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have warned there is a “threat of a severe nuclear accident” at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

The director general of the IAEA Rafael Grossi has expressed “extreme concern” for the safety at the Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia plant and has called for immediate action to “prevent the threat of a severe nuclear accident” which would be catastrophic for the whole of Europe.

Grossi has expressed further “concerns” as they have “received information” that Russian occupied forces have started to evacuate civilians from Enerhodar near to the Ukrainian nuclear power plant as Kyiv’s counteroffensive is due to start.

Read more on Russia-Ukraine war:

Russian nuclear warships ‘are exercising around the UK’ and the North Sea with Kalibr cruise missiles ‘preparing for war’

Moscow most likely orchestrated the attack on the Kremlin to create conditions for wider mobilisation

Ukraine’s offensive has ‘already begun’ and Wagner chief warns Kyiv are ‘now more active outside’ their historical borders such as Crimea

Surrounded by dead bodies Wagner chief blasts Putin demanding ‘where is the f****** ammo?’

Grossi said the true scale of the evacuation is not known and said, “I’m extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant.”

He then warned that “we must act now to prevent the threat of a severe nuclear accident.”

In a statement the IAEA said, “while operating staff remain at the site, Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern about the increasingly tense, stressful, and challenging conditions for personnel and their families.”

In April, Grossi warned, “We are living on borrowed time when it comes to nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

“Unless we take action to protect the plant, our luck will sooner or later run out, with potentially severe consequences for human health and the environment.”

Energoatom said in a statement, “Europe’s largest nuclear facility continues to suffer from the arbitrariness of the Russian military and their henchmen, while Ukrainian personnel are desperately trying to maintain the nuclear and radiation safety of the entire continent.”