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Chernobyl's Shield Damaged by Drone, IAEA Warns
7 Dec
Summary
- Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement dome was damaged by a drone strike in February.
- The IAEA stated the dome has lost its primary safety functions and containment capability.
- A major renovation is recommended to prevent further degradation of the structure.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site sustained severe damage from a drone strike earlier this year, compromising its ability to contain radioactive waste. The massive steel structure, built to cover the ruined No. 4 reactor, has lost its primary safety functions, including containment capabilities, according to an IAEA statement.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted that while limited temporary repairs have been conducted on the roof, a comprehensive restoration is crucial to avert further degradation and ensure the site's long-term nuclear safety. He assured that no permanent damage had occurred to the dome's load-bearing structures or monitoring systems, and the IAEA maintains a permanent presence to support restoration efforts.
The NSC, a colossal feat of engineering completed in 2019, was designed to last 100 years and secure the site nearly four decades after the 1986 disaster. The €2.1 billion project was funded by over 45 donor countries and organizations through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, representing a significant international collaboration in nuclear safety.
