A radioactive isotope pipe has gone missing from a power facility in Thailand, prompting urgent safety concerns. The incident occurred at National Power Plant 5A in Prachinburi, a site described by officials as carrying extreme danger to people nearby. To aid in locating the device, the plant offered a reward of 50,000 baht, roughly equivalent to $1,500, for information leading to its recovery. (Bangkok Post)
Meanwhile, updates from the International Atomic Energy Agency focus on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The IAEA has reported that the facility has been fully de-energized for the first time since late 2022, signaling a significant shift in its operational status. With eight of the twenty available generators currently in use, six units are in standby. Officials say the plant can rely on diesel fuel to maintain generator operation for approximately 15 days, should power be needed to sustain critical cooling and safety systems. (Bangkok Post)
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has stated that negotiations over the status and future of the Zaporizhzhia plant are not deadlocked. He acknowledged the difficulties in achieving a compromise but emphasized that it remains possible for all parties to reach an agreement. Grossi also raised the possibility that dialogue could stall if there appeared to be no viable path forward, underscoring a cautious optimism that a resolution remains within reach. (Bangkok Post)