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Should world fear another Chernobyl crisis? Europe's biggest nuclear plant Zaporizhzhia ON FIRE

'If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl,' Ukrainian minister Dmytro Kuleba said

Russian troops carried out a dangerous tank attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, sparking fears of a disaster "10 times worse than Chernobyl". Located on the banks of the Dneiper river in south-east Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia is considered the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. Live surveillance footage from the power plant showed flames engulfing the buildings as Russian tanks fired aggressively at them. 

Zaporizhzhia, which has six nuclear reactors, generates power for more than a quarter of Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Atomic Energy ministry, one of these six generating units was struck by Russian fire. Presently, increased levels of radiation have been detected near the site though not many details are available. 

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In a video circulated on Telegram, Zaporizhzhia spokesperson Andriy Tuz stated, "We demand that they stop the heavy weapons fire. There is a real threat of nuclear danger in the biggest atomic energy station in Europe." He further noted, "Firefighters can't start extinguishing the fire at the Zaporozhzhia nuclear power plant - they are being fired on at point-blank range. There is already a hit on the first power unit." The live feed from the plant showed flashing lights from emergency vehicles, but the road was blocked by Russian tanks positioned all along the road leading up to the reactors. Mayor Dmytro Orlov also reported about casualties at the scene, though the exact death toll remains unknown. 

"There has been fierce fighting between local forces and Russian troops. As a result of continuous enemy shelling of buildings and units of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on fire," Orlov declared, dubbing the incident "a threat to world security".  

Meanwhile, Ukrainian minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 while assessing the risks of firing at Zaporozhzhia nuclear power plant. "Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!"

The fire at Zaporizhzhia sent social media into panic, as many condemned Russians for their ruthless and devastating warfare tactics. However, nuclear experts assured that chances of a nuclear explosion at Zaporizhzhia is less likely. "Appreciate that nuclear experts and active watchers are speaking out and echoing that the nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia are NOT likely to explode in the way Chernobyl did - it will be bad, but a different bad," nuclear expert Claire Wahlen tweeted.

Editor Kevin Rothrock reported, "Zelensky issues an urgent new message warning that Russian artillery fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant risks a nuclear radiation catastrophe that threatens the entire continent. “You know the word Chernobyl,” he says grimly."