‘Several injured’ in English Channel nuclear power plant explosion

There has been a large-scale explosion in the engine room of the Flamanville plant near Manche on the French side of the English Channel.

Local reports suggest the blast occurred just before 10am this morning. According to Reuters, at least five people inhaled smoke during the incident. In a statement published by Reuters France, EDF group said the fire occurred in a non-nuclear zone and was controlled by staff. The unit involved has now been disconnected from the electricity grid. The Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant was established in the eighties, with two PWR reactors of 1300 MWe each put into operation in 1986 and 1987.

#BREAKING Explosion at #Flamanville nuclear power plant in #France sent mushroom clouds to sky authorities: injuries but no risk of exposure pic.twitter.com/VpEjYixYmK

— Mahdi Khodabakhsh (@khodabakhsh24) February 9, 2017

According to the latest reports, there is no immediate risk for exposure. Image: The Times