Ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October, we look at the role played by the IAEA’s unique Incident and Emergency Centre in preparing and responding to potential nuclear or radiological emergencies. The centre is staffed by 29 permanent experts with over 200 staff on standby in case of a major nuclear or radiological emergency, irrespective of the cause.
The centre remains operational 24/7, ready to spring into full operational mode if a report is received and meets established criteria, such as the declaration of an emergency at a nuclear power plant. The centre is ready to respond and inform Member States and the public in any scenario that may be relevant for nuclear safety and security.
Read more…
Source: international Atomic Energy Agency
Sign up for Counter-IED Report Newsletter
Related:
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 275
February 14, 2025
A drone attack early this morning caused a fire on the building confining the remains of the reactor destroyed in the 1986 Chornobyl accident, a deeply concerning incident that underlines the persistent risks to nuclear safety during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said. The IAEA team ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 274
February 12, 2025
Today’s scheduled rotation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team currently based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was cancelled as a result of intense military activity in the region, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Despite written assurances received from both sides that the planned rotation could take place safely, the situation proved ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 272
January 30, 2025
Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will travel to Ukraine next week for high-level meetings in Kyiv, in which the ongoing efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict will be discussed. Over the past week, the IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants (NPPs) have ...
- New IAEA Publication on the Security of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material in Transport
December 17, 2024
A new IAEA publication on the security of nuclear and other radioactive material in transport has been released. “It is essential that nuclear and other radioactive material is managed securely and is properly protected against criminal or intentional unauthorized acts during their transport,” said Heather Looney, Head of the Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 264
December 10, 2024
A drone hit and severely damaged an official vehicle of the International Atomic Energy Agency during a rotation today of IAEA teams to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), in what Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi condemned as an “unacceptable” attack on Agency staff working to prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict. The IAEA ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 258
November 7, 2024
A new expert team from the International Atomic Energy Agency crossed the frontline this week to travel to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), replacing colleagues who have been monitoring nuclear safety and security at the site over the past several weeks as part of the IAEA’s non-stop efforts to help prevent a radiological accident ...
- Ukraine: ZNPP employee suspected of assassination attempt on IAEA officials
October 23, 2024
Sergey Potynga, an engineer at the thermal instrumentation and control shop of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), has been accused of attempting to assassinate employees of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the orders of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), law enforcement agencies told TASS. “An unidentified employee of the Ukrainian ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 255
October 18, 2024
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stationed at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) are reporting daily military activity in the vicinity, with some explosions occurring close to the facility. This ongoing situation underscores the persistent threat faced by the nuclear power plant, which remains at the heart of an active war zone, IAEA ...
- From Preparedness to Resilience: The Role of the IAEA in Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Response
October 11, 2024
Ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October, we look at the role played by the IAEA’s unique Incident and Emergency Centre in preparing and responding to potential nuclear or radiological emergencies. The centre is staffed by 29 permanent experts with over 200 staff on standby in case of a major ...
- New IAEA Publication about Detecting Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control
September 2, 2024
A new IAEA publication titled Detection in a State’s Interior of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control offers law enforcement agencies and frontline officers detailed guidance to support them in combatting criminal acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material that has fallen out of regulatory control. “The new publication is added to a ...
- UN watchdog says Russian nuclear plant ‘extremely exposed’ if attacked
August 27, 2024
A nuclear plant in western Russia, where fighting is raging between Russian and Ukrainian forces, is especially vulnerable to a serious accident because it lacks a protective dome that could shield it from missiles, drones or artillery, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy ...
- IAEA Informed of Drone at Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
August 22, 2024
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed by the Russian Federation today that the remains of a drone were found within the territory of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. The drone fragments were reported to have been located roughly 100 metres from the plant’s spent fuel nuclear storage facility. The IAEA was informed that ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 244
August 13, 2024
he International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) viewed evidence provided to the team today that continues to indicate that Monday’s fire did not start at the base of the cooling tower, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Following its visit to the impact site yesterday, the IAEA Support and ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 242
August 11, 2024
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) witnessed thick dark smoke coming from the north-western area of the plant, after hearing multiple explosions throughout the evening. The team was informed that an alleged drone attack on one of the plant’s cooling towers took place today. There is no impact ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Developments in the Russian Federation
August 9, 2024
The IAEA has been monitoring the situation on the reported military activities taking place in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). I wish to remind all parties of the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict. Additionally, I emphasize the five concrete principles to help to ensure ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – update 232
June 13, 2024
The IAEA team at ZNPP reported hearing explosions, including close to the plant, on several days over the past week. They confirmed with the plant that one of the mines located next to the ZNPP cooling pond area exploded on 11 June. There were no physical damage or casualties from the explosion and the cause ...
- IAEA Database on Trafficking of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material Records 4243 Incidents Since 1993
May 20, 2024
A total of 4243 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material have been reported in the IAEA Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) since 1993, according to a new factsheet released by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today. In 2023, 168 incidents were reported by 31 States, in line with historical ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – Update 224
April 18, 2024
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed about a further attempted drone attack today on the training centre of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), causing no damage or casualties, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. It would be the third reported attack targeting the training facility recently, following two such incidents last week. The ...
- IAEA: United Nations Security Council Update
April 15, 2024
On Sunday, 7 April, the International Support and Assistance Mission to ZNPP (ISAMZ) confirmed the first attacks since November 2022 to directly target ZNPP. The ISAMZ team was able to inspect the location of one direct strike at the apex of the containment dome of the Unit 6 reactor building. Whilst the damage to the structure ...
- IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine – update 221
April 9, 2024
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed about a further drone attack on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today, in the latest indication of a major worsening of the nuclear safety and security situation at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said. The IAEA team of ...
- Ukraine: IAEA experts confirmed physical impact of drone attacks at ZNPP
April 7, 2024
IAEA experts confirmed physical impact of drone attacks at ZNPP today, incl. at 1 of its 6 reactors. One casualty reported. Damage at unit 6 has not compromised nuclear safety, but this is a serious incident with potential to undermine integrity of the reactor’s containment system. Read more… Source: International Atomic Energy Agency/X
- UNICRI: Final review meeting of the Prosecutor’s guide to radiological and nuclear crimes
November 3, 2023
The threat of acquiring, producing and disseminating radiological and nuclear hazardous materials for deliberate use has substantially increased over the past ten years. The lack of experience and awareness among law enforcement and judicial authorities, as well as prosecutorial and judicial teams, has been identified as the weakest link in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) ...