ENERHODAR: Europe’s largest nuclear plant has caught fire after it was attacked by Russia here on early Friday in a move that has raised serious alarm among citizens who are fearing a nuclear radiation leak. According to a spokesperson for the plant, the Russian shells were hitting the plant directly.
He was speaking to the Ukrainian television.
Andriy Tuz – the spokesperson for the plant – said that one of the six reactors of the nuclear plant had caught fire, adding that it was still nonoperational. However, the reactor still had nuclear fuel inside it and it was being renovated, Tuz added.
The Associated Press quoted a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity that the damage had elevated the radiation levels in the area. He also said that the plant was responsible for generating 25 per cent of the power in all of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba appealed to Russia to stop the firing otherwise the fallout could be 10 times bigger than Chernobyl.
Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 4, 2022