Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner warns of irreparable consequences for world if fires spread
Highlights
- More than 10,000 hectares of forest are burning in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone a Ukrainian official has warned.
- The fires have led to an increased level of radioactive air pollution with a threat to neighbouring European countries.
- The abandoned zone around Chernobyl plant is still considered highly risky because of the radiation from the 1986 nuclear disaster.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been told that the site’s 211 technical personnel and guards were working “under enormous stress without the necessary rest” The site was seized by Russian troops four weeks ago.
- According to reports, the staff of the besieged power plant are being made to work at gunpoint by Russian soldiers.