Kanupp Leak: PAEC issues clarification

PAEC has clarified that the oldest nuclear power plant in Pakistan and its surroundings absolutely secure and safe.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) clarified on Friday that the oldest nuclear power plant in the country, Kanupp, and its surroundings were absolutely secure and safe. The commission said that the safety of the plant was being monitored by an independent safety committee. A PAEC spokesperson said that the incident of heavy water leakage was minor in nature, referring to a news story that appeared in the press, adding that it should be classified as an incident, not an accident. A formal investigation into the incident was already under way and the plant will restart operations after necessary in-service inspections are made, the spokesperson said.  He said that most of the heavy water leaked had also been recovered for re-use.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2011.