UAE Assures No Radioactive Leakage After Attack Near Nuclear Plant

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION/Vladyslav Cherkasenko

JAKARTA - The nuclear regulatory authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stated that there was no leakage of radioactive material after a drone attack near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and did not pose a risk to the community or the surrounding environment.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) on Sunday (17/5) also stated that the incident had no effect on the safety of facilities or important systems at the plant.

"There is no release of radioactive material, the radiological safety level remains within normal limits, and there is no risk for the community or the environment," the authority said, adding that there were no recorded injuries reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, May 18.

The statement came hours after the Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities were dealing with a fire on an electrical generator outside the perimeter of a facility in the Al Dhafra region.

The media office said the fire was caused by a drone, without revealing the source of the attack, with no injuries, and all precautionary measures had been taken.

Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran in late February. Iran then retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf region, including the UAE, accompanied by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The ceasefire also came into effect from April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a long-term agreement. US President Donald Trump then extended the ceasefire indefinitely.