WEB DESK /
An explosion has occurred at Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant, in north-west Normandy in France. Officials said that several people were slightly injured after inhaling the fumes, though there is no nuclear risk.
The incident occurred today in an engine room. Authorities said at least five people have been slightly injured inhaling the fumes caused by the blast.
There is no contamination risk to locals however the Unit 1 reactor will still temporarily be shut down. Olivier Marmion, Director of the Prefect’s office said it is a significant technical failure but it is not a nuclear accident because the explosion occurred outside the nuclear zone. A rescue vehicle has been sent to the site.
The nuclear plant located in the Flamanville commune has two pressurized water reactors that produce 1.3 GWe (gigawatt electrical) each. The reactors were built in 1986 and 1987. A third reactor will be completed by 2018.
The plant is owned by Électricité de France (EDF), a French electric utility company, headquartered in Paris.