Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

 

[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] A drone attack has struck the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates—the first large-scale nuclear power facility exported by South Korea—causing a fire in power-related equipment but no reported casualties.

According to the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office on May 17 (local time), the incident occurred when a drone struck a generator located outside the inner security perimeter of the Barakah nuclear facility, igniting a fire. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Officials emphasized that the drone did not target the reactor itself, and no radiation leak or nuclear-related safety issue has occurred. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation stated that all core systems at the plant remain fully operational.

The UAE government has not disclosed the party responsible for the drone attack.

The Barakah plant, awarded to South Korea in 2009, marked the country’s first overseas nuclear export project. The facility comprises four reactors with a combined capacity of 5,600 megawatts, accounting for approximately 25% of the UAE’s total electricity supply.

Roughly 300 South Korean personnel are currently working at the site, including employees from Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, as well as partner firms.

 

 

 

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