It has been reported that the smoldering fires, which had not been extinguished since the explosion accident on the 14th of last month at the containment building of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in northern Ukraine, have now been completely put out.
On the 14th (local time), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that no more smoke is leaking from the containment building of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant where the explosion occurred. Ukrainian fire authorities operated a 24-hour emergency duty system to prevent additional fire risks, and for nearly ten days until recently, no smoldering fires were detected.
The IAEA stated, "The safety alert for the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been downgraded from 'emergency' to 'under control,'" adding, "After extinguishing all smoldering fires and smoke, complete facility control is being maintained." Radiation levels, which had been a concern for the international community, also appear to be maintained within normal ranges.
However, the IAEA noted, "The drone attack severely damaged the containment building's functions, making extensive repairs inevitable," and added, "The remaining task is to repair and restore the structures of the containment facility, which was built at great cost by the international community."
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant is the site of the worst nuclear explosion accident in history, which occurred in April 1986. Currently, all reactors have been shut down, but spent nuclear fuel is stored in cooling facilities. The containment building serves to block the release of radioactive materials from the spent nuclear fuel and protect against external impacts. This facility suffered a large hole and a fire on its roof due to a drone attack on the 14th of last month. Even after the drone attack, additional air raid alerts around the facility continued, and it took more than two weeks to completely extinguish the fire.
Regarding the party responsible for the drone attack, Russia and Ukraine have each pointed fingers at the other, shifting the blame.
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