IAEA Chief Says Barakah Passed ‘Trial by Fire’ After Drone Attack

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Abu Dhabi : The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has praised the UAE's response to the recent drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, saying the incident demonstrated the strength of the country's nuclear safety and emergency preparedness systems.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the attack as a “trial by fire” for the facility, noting that safety measures worked as intended despite damage to external infrastructure. No radiation leak was reported and the plant remained secure throughout the incident.

The attack targeted equipment outside the plant's inner security perimeter, causing one reactor to temporarily lose external power and switch to emergency diesel generators. UAE authorities responded by safely shutting down the affected reactor while maintaining nuclear safety standards. Off-site power has since been restored and repair work is under way.

Grossi, who visited the site, commended the close cooperation between Emirati authorities and the IAEA during and after the incident. He said the event showed that Barakah's safety systems and emergency procedures functioned effectively under real-world conditions.

The Barakah plant, the Arab world's first commercial nuclear power station, supplies about a quarter of the UAE's electricity. The United Nations Security Council has condemned the attack, describing it as a violation of international law.

Pic Credit: AFP