IAEA reports explosion of two landmines in the vicinity of the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission in the Ukrainian city of Zaporiyia has reported Thursday the explosion of two landmines in the vicinity of the city’s nuclear power plant, bringing to five the total number of explosions this week.

This was reported by the agency in a statement in which it detailed that one of the mines exploded Wednesday afternoon near a canal that transports water to the plant for its cooling system, essential for nuclear safety. However, it did not cause any damage.

The second explosion took place at 13:00 (local time) on Thursday, about 500 meters from reactor 1. No major damage has been reported, although further investigations have been launched in search of possible fractures.

As with the three previous landmine explosions reported by the IAEA this week, they are believed to have been caused by animals.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has reiterated his “deep concern” over the recurrence of such landmine explosions near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, where frequent bombings have occurred over the past two months.