ABU DHABI: A drone strike triggered a hearth close to a nuclear energy station within the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Sunday (Might 17), authorities mentioned, reporting no accidents or affect on radiation ranges.
“Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a hearth incident that broke out in {an electrical} generator exterior the internal perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant within the Al Dhafra Area, attributable to a drone strike,” the Abu Dhabi Media Workplace mentioned.
“No accidents have been reported, and there was no affect on radiological security ranges,” it posted on social media. “All precautionary measures have been taken, and additional updates will likely be supplied as they change into out there.
“The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) confirmed that the fireplace didn’t have an effect on the protection of the facility plant or the readiness of its important programs, and that each one models are working as regular.”
The plant started operations in 2020 and is 200km west of the United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi, close to the borders with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
It offers as much as 1 / 4 of the oil-rich nation’s electrical energy wants, the state-owned operator Emirates Nuclear Vitality Firm mentioned in 2024.
The UAE was the second nation within the area to construct a nuclear energy station, after Iran, and the primary within the Arab world.
The assertion didn’t say from the place the drone was launched, however the UAE has just lately accused Iran of being behind assaults on its power and financial infrastructure.
Tehran launched retaliatory strikes throughout the area after america and Israel struck Iran on Feb 28, killing senior leaders and triggering a broader struggle.
Iran has accused the UAE and different US allies within the Gulf of permitting US forces to hold out assaults from their territory. The UAE has angrily denied Iranian studies that it has actively carried out assaults of its personal.
Washington and Tehran agreed a truce on Apr 8, however peace negotiations have stalled and sporadic assaults have continued.
