– This underscores the very real risk of a nuclear catastrophe that could threaten public health and the environment both in Ukraine and elsewhere, said the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in a statement according to Reuters.

Grossi said he was deeply concerned about the damage caused by Friday’s attack. Among other things, one reactor at the power plant failed, and there had been serious damage to the nitrogen and oxygen storage station, as well as ancillary buildings, Energoatom reported on Telegram.

accusing each other

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of being behind Friday’s attack. The nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, has been under Russian occupation since March, but is still largely operated by Ukrainian workers.

– There is still a risk of leakage of hydrogen and radioactive substances, and the risk of fire is also high, Energoatom further wrote.

For several months, the IAEA wanted to send inspectors to the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya. Ukraine has denied inspectors access, claiming that a visit would help legitimize Russia’s occupation of the power plant.

Unstable and unsafe

According to Grossi, Friday’s attack was just the latest in a long line of increasingly worrying messages from Zaporizhzhya. On Wednesday, Grossi said the situation at the power plant was unstable and unsafe.

– Every principle of nuclear safety has been violated. What was at stake here was serious, serious and dangerous, Grossi said at the time.

– The situation is unstable. “We can’t let that continue,” he added.