Greenpeace warns of risk at Chernobyl site amid concerns

April 14, 2026 / 9:59 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: Greenpeace has warned that a potential collapse of the internal radiation structure at the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine could heighten the risk of radioactive release into the environment.

Legacy of the 1986 disaster

The warning comes ahead of the 40th anniversary of the 1986 accident, when a reactor explosion released radiation across Europe and triggered mass evacuations.

Containment structures under strain

The site is enclosed by an inner steel-and-concrete sarcophagus and an outer protective structure, the New Safe Confinement. Greenpeace said that damage and limited repair capacity have reduced the effectiveness of the outer system.

Ongoing risks and operational challenges

The organisation called for the removal of unstable internal elements to reduce the risk of collapse, noting that ongoing conflict has complicated maintenance and safety work. Plant officials described the situation as highly dangerous, warning that external impacts could further threaten stability and that radioactive materials do not respect borders.