IAEA head says continuing attacks of Zaporizhzhya NPP unacceptable, calls for their immediate end

PARIS. Sept 9 (Interfax) - The security situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is causing growing concerns, attacks on it must cease immediately, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossia said.

"This is an unsustainable situation and is becoming increasingly precarious. Enerhodar has gone dark. The power plant has no offsite power. And we have seen that once infrastructure is repaired, it is damaged once again," Grossi said in a statement released on Friday.

IEAE employees staying at the power plant told Grossi that the situation at the plant became serious and Enerhodar's power supply infrastructure has been damaged due to attacks last night, he said. There is "no running water, no power, no sewage," he said.

"I therefore urgently call for the immediate cessation of all shelling in the entire area. Only this will ensure the safety and security of operating staff and allow the durable restoration of power to Enerhodar and to the power plant," Grossi said.

The IAEA earlier published a report following its mission's visit to the nuclear power plant. It, in particular, stipulates that "there is an urgent need for interim measures to prevent a nuclear accident arising from physical damage caused by military means." "This can be achieved by the immediate establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone," the report said. The IAEA expressed readiness to immediately begin consultations on the urgent creation of such security area.