VIENNA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Thursday condemned Tuesday's drone attacks as "unacceptable" after they caused significant damage to a fire station supporting emergency response at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
According to an IAEA statement, the agency's team at the plant confirmed significant damage to a fire station in the nearby city of Enerhodar. Grossi said the station plays an important role in supporting the plant's emergency response capability.
During a visit to the site on Wednesday, the IAEA team observed damage to the building and several firefighting vehicles, which had largely undermined the station's operational capacity.
The facility provides important backup support to the plant's own fire brigade in the event of a large-scale emergency at the plant, the statement said.
"Any attack that undermines nuclear safety and emergency preparedness is unacceptable," Grossi warned.
As one of Europe's largest nuclear facilities, the plant has repeatedly faced nuclear safety challenges since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis. ■
