IAEA says no immediate threat to nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhya NPP

MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed the absence of an immediate threat to nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

"IAEA experts assessed that there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety," the Ukrainian media quoted IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi as saying in a statement published on the agency's website in the early hours of Wednesday.

Available radiation measurements continue to show normal levels at the site, the IAEA said.

There was no visible damage to the containers with spent nuclear fuel or to the protective perimeter of the facility, it said.

The IAEA, however, reported damage to communication cables that are part of its radiation control system, with a possible impact on the functioning of three radiation detection sensors.

Grossi, for his part, again stressed the need for an IAEA expert mission to go to the plant as soon as possible to "help stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation," adding that he is in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities and continues to monitor the nuclear safety and security situation.

As reported, one of the Zaporizhzhya NPP's three functioning power units was disconnected from the grid on August 5 after a high-voltage power line was damaged.