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Economic Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Next Chernobyl? Experts warn Soviet-era nuclear plant at Armenia could explode at any moment
Where Is the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Located? Experts Warn the Metsamor Nuclear Plant Could Become Another Chernobyl Live Events Earthquake Risk: Why Metsamor's Location Raises Red Flags Experts Say Armenia's Nuclear Plant Is a Ticking Time Bomb Calls Grow for EU and US Action to Prevent a Nuclear Disaster FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A Soviet-era nuclear power plant, which is located in one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions, is being called a "ticking time bomb" and a potential " Chernobyl in waiting" by experts, because they have raised concerns about its safety, as reported by the Daily Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, which is located near the town of Metsamor and is 22 miles from Armenia's capital, Yerevan, at present supplies about 40% of the country's electricity, according to the Daily Mail report. Built in 1976 using Soviet-era technology, it has long been seen as controversial due to its location directly within a seismic zone, as per the Daily Mail Peter Marko Tase, who is an expert on the Southern Caucasus region, pointed out that "Chernobyl in waiting" "is a fact," as quoted in the report. He explained that, "Due to Armenia's lack of economic resources and the reactor's precarious structure, we can ascertain that such a nuclear reactor is an explosive that could go off at any moment," as quoted in the report. He emphasised that "it would have similar effects to the Chernobyl meltdown," as quoted by the Daily also pointed out that, "Soil contamination, water quality degradation, and massive air pollution will be looming over the skies of Europe for at least a decade, in the tragic case of a meltdown," as quoted in the READ: Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault: Top Boy actor denies allegations He highlighted that, "The plant is located in a region with high seismic activity. Its precarious operational activity represents a high risk of nuclear contamination. It is Europe's largest radioactive powerhouse in the event of an explosion," as quoted by the Daily plant has a troubled history; after the deadly Spitak Earthquake in 1988, the facility was shut down for six years, only to resume operations in 1995, despite growing international concern, reported the Daily pointed out that, "During the second half of 1980s, the Soviet Union regime decided to shut down this facility, but unfortunately this decision was never implemented. It represents an imminent danger for Europe and Southern Caucasus nations," as quoted in the READ: Love Island UK 2025: When is the final, how to Vote, and what can fans expect? Warnings came even before the plan reopened; as per an archived Washington Post article from 1995, Viktoria Ter-Nikogossian, an adviser to the Armenian parliament's environmental committee, had called the reopening "very, very scary," as per the Daily Mail report. She had pointed out at that time, "This nuclear plant can never be safe to run, and an accident would mean the end of Armenia," as quoted by the Daily Mail Washington Post article also quoted Morris Rosen of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who had said at that time the plant's design was "clearly deficient," adding, "You would never build a plant in that area, that's for sure, with what's known now," as quoted by the Daily Tase, who had authored hundreds of articles about the region and studied it for 15 years, has urged that it's time for the US and Europe to step in, as reported by The Daily said, "The EU and the US must take immediate actions to secure the reactor's physical structure, and work diligently to shut down this ticking nuclear time bomb in a timely manner," adding, "Metsamor might be the most serious threat to global security and stability, and key players must act now," as quoted by the Daily but only one of its original two reactors is currently active, as per the Daily Mail have pointed out that due to the reactor's precarious structure, the nuclear reactor is an explosive that could go off at any moment, similar in scale to Chernobyl, as per the Daily Mail report.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Next Chernobyl? Experts warn Soviet-era nuclear plant at Armenia could explode at any moment
Where Is the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Located? Experts Warn the Metsamor Nuclear Plant Could Become Another Chernobyl Live Events Earthquake Risk: Why Metsamor's Location Raises Red Flags Experts Say Armenia's Nuclear Plant Is a Ticking Time Bomb Calls Grow for EU and US Action to Prevent a Nuclear Disaster FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A Soviet-era nuclear power plant, which is located in one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions, is being called a "ticking time bomb" and a potential " Chernobyl in waiting" by experts, because they have raised concerns about its safety, as reported by the Daily Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, which is located near the town of Metsamor and is 22 miles from Armenia's capital, Yerevan, at present supplies about 40% of the country's electricity, according to the Daily Mail report. Built in 1976 using Soviet-era technology, it has long been seen as controversial due to its location directly within a seismic zone, as per the Daily Mail Peter Marko Tase, who is an expert on the Southern Caucasus region, pointed out that "Chernobyl in waiting" "is a fact," as quoted in the report. He explained that, "Due to Armenia's lack of economic resources and the reactor's precarious structure, we can ascertain that such a nuclear reactor is an explosive that could go off at any moment," as quoted in the report. He emphasised that "it would have similar effects to the Chernobyl meltdown," as quoted by the Daily also pointed out that, "Soil contamination, water quality degradation, and massive air pollution will be looming over the skies of Europe for at least a decade, in the tragic case of a meltdown," as quoted in the READ: Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault: Top Boy actor denies allegations He highlighted that, "The plant is located in a region with high seismic activity. Its precarious operational activity represents a high risk of nuclear contamination. It is Europe's largest radioactive powerhouse in the event of an explosion," as quoted by the Daily plant has a troubled history; after the deadly Spitak Earthquake in 1988, the facility was shut down for six years, only to resume operations in 1995, despite growing international concern, reported the Daily pointed out that, "During the second half of 1980s, the Soviet Union regime decided to shut down this facility, but unfortunately this decision was never implemented. It represents an imminent danger for Europe and Southern Caucasus nations," as quoted in the READ: Love Island UK 2025: When is the final, how to Vote, and what can fans expect? Warnings came even before the plan reopened; as per an archived Washington Post article from 1995, Viktoria Ter-Nikogossian, an adviser to the Armenian parliament's environmental committee, had called the reopening "very, very scary," as per the Daily Mail report. She had pointed out at that time, "This nuclear plant can never be safe to run, and an accident would mean the end of Armenia," as quoted by the Daily Mail Washington Post article also quoted Morris Rosen of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who had said at that time the plant's design was "clearly deficient," adding, "You would never build a plant in that area, that's for sure, with what's known now," as quoted by the Daily Tase, who had authored hundreds of articles about the region and studied it for 15 years, has urged that it's time for the US and Europe to step in, as reported by The Daily said, "The EU and the US must take immediate actions to secure the reactor's physical structure, and work diligently to shut down this ticking nuclear time bomb in a timely manner," adding, "Metsamor might be the most serious threat to global security and stability, and key players must act now," as quoted by the Daily but only one of its original two reactors is currently active, as per the Daily Mail have pointed out that due to the reactor's precarious structure, the nuclear reactor is an explosive that could go off at any moment, similar in scale to Chernobyl, as per the Daily Mail report.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Soviet-era nuclear power plant is called the next Chernobyl
A Soviet-era nuclear power plant in an earthquake zone has been branded 'Chernobyl in waiting' and a 'ticking time bomb' amid fears of a looming disaster. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was opened in 1976 and comprises two reactors, reportedly supplying the nation with 40 per cent of its electricity. But it stands in a seismic zone, and has already been shuttered once before, closing sfor six years after the Spitak Earthquake in 1988. Now it's up and running again, just 22 miles from Armenia's capital, Yerevan, where it's been called a 'Chernobyl in waiting'. Author Peter Marko Tase, an expert on the Southern Caucasus region, said: 'It is a fact. 'Due to Armenia's lack of economic resources and the reactor's precarious structure, we can ascertain that such a nuclear reactor is an explosive that could go off at any moment. 'It would have similar effects to the Chernobyl meltdown. 'Soil contamination, water quality degradation, and massive air pollution will be looming over the skies of Europe for at least a decade, in the tragic case of a meltdown.' He continued: 'The plant is located in a region with high seismic activity. 'Its precarious operational activity represents a high risk of nuclear contamination. 'It is Europe's largest radioactive powerhouse in the event of an explosion.' The plant, near the town of Metsamor, scarcely 10 miles from the Turkish border, opened a year before Chernobyl – its counterpart in Ukraine. When Chernobyl suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 1986, it sparked the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history. And like Chernobyl, Metsamor was built with Soviet-era technology. Dr Tase said: 'The plant has only one reactor functional today. 'It has very old technological equipment and the concrete structure of this reactor is in a very precarious condition. 'During the second half of 1980s, the Soviet Union regime decided to shut down this facility but unfortunately this decision was never implemented. It represents an imminent danger for Europe and Southern Caucasus nations.' Dr Tase isn't the only one to raise the alarm. There were concerns even before the plant re-opened in 1995, according to an article published that year in The Washington Post. Speaking to the paper, Viktoria Ter-Nikogossian, then an adviser to the environmental committee of the Armenian parliament, called the reopening 'very, very scary'. She said: 'This nuclear plant can never be safe to run, and an accident would mean the end of Armenia.' The article also quoted Morris Rosen of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who said the plant's design was 'clearly deficient'. He further criticised its construction in a seismic zone. He said: 'You would never build a plant in that area, that's for sure, with what's known now.' What's more, the plant is still run with help from Russia's atomic energy agency, Rosatom, making the Kremlin a major player in Armenia's energy supply. Dr Tase said: 'The plant represents the geopolitical influence of the Russian Federation in the Southern Caucasus region. Russia is expected to modernise one of the two reactors at Metsamor, and that will cost Armenian taxpayers more than $65m (£48m). 'However there are serious doubts as to whether Moscow will fulfil its agreement with the Armenian government signed in December 2023.' He added: 'This matter is a vivid reminder of how extensive Russian influence is on the economy, energy production, and infrastructure development of Armenia.' Dr Tase, who's authored hundreds of articles about the region and studied it for 15 years, believes it's time for the US and Europe to step in. He said: 'The EU and the US must take immediate actions to secure the reactor's physical structure, and work diligently to shut down this ticking nuclear time bomb in a timely manner. 'Metsamor might be the most serious threat to global security and stability, and key players must act now.' The plant's operators were contacted for comment. In the past, the plant's supporters have argued that it was built on a stable basalt block as a defence against earthquake damage. They've also pointed to safety measures made in the years since its reopening.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The next Chernobyl? Soviet-era nuclear power plant is branded a 'ticking time bomb' that could go off at 'any moment'
A Soviet-era nuclear power plant in an earthquake zone has been branded ' Chernobyl in waiting' and a 'ticking time bomb' amid fears of a looming disaster. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was opened in 1976 and comprises two reactors, reportedly supplying the nation with 40 per cent of its electricity. But it stands in a seismic zone, and has already been shuttered once before, closing for six years after the Spitak Earthquake in 1988. Now it's up and running again, just 22 miles from Armenia 's capital, Yerevan, where it's been called a 'Chernobyl in waiting'. Author Peter Marko Tase, an expert on the Southern Caucasus region, said: 'It is a fact. 'Due to Armenia's lack of economic resources and the reactor's precarious structure, we can ascertain that such a nuclear reactor is an explosive that could go off at any moment. 'It would have similar effects to the Chernobyl meltdown. 'Soil contamination, water quality degradation, and massive air pollution will be looming over the skies of Europe for at least a decade, in the tragic case of a meltdown.' He continued: 'The plant is located in a region with high seismic activity. 'Its precarious operational activity represents a high risk of nuclear contamination. 'It is Europe's largest radioactive powerhouse in the event of an explosion.' The plant, near the town of Metsamor, scarcely 10 miles from the Turkish border, opened a year before Chernobyl – its counterpart in Ukraine. When Chernobyl suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 1986, it sparked the largest release of radioactive material into the environment in human history. And like Chernobyl, Metsamor was built with Soviet-era technology. Dr Tase said: 'The plant has only one reactor functional today. 'It has very old technological equipment and the concrete structure of this reactor is in a very precarious condition. The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was opened in 1976 and comprises two reactors, reportedly supplying the nation with 40 per cent of its electricity. But it stands in a seismic zone, and has already been shuttered once before, closing for six years after the Spitak Earthquake in 1988. Now it's up and running again, just 22 miles from Armenia 's capital, Yerevan, where it's been called a 'Chernobyl in waiting'. 'During the second half of 1980s, the Soviet Union regime decided to shut down this facility but unfortunately this decision was never implemented. It represents an imminent danger for Europe and Southern Caucasus nations.' Dr Tase isn't the only one to raise the alarm. There were concerns even before the plant re-opened in 1995, according to an article published that year in The Washington Post. Speaking to the paper, Viktoria Ter-Nikogossian, then an adviser to the environmental committee of the Armenian parliament, called the reopening 'very, very scary'. She said: 'This nuclear plant can never be safe to run, and an accident would mean the end of Armenia.' The article also quoted Morris Rosen of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who said the plant's design was 'clearly deficient'. He further criticised its construction in a seismic zone. 'You would never build a plant in that area, that's for sure, with what's known now,' he said. What's more, the plant is still run with help from Russia's atomic energy agency, Rosatom, making the Kremlin a major player in Armenia's energy supply. 'The plant represents the geopolitical influence of the Russian Federation in the Southern Caucasus region,' said Dr Tase. 'Russia is expected to modernise one of the two reactors at Metsamor, and that will cost Armenian taxpayers more than $65m (£48m). 'However there are serious doubts as to whether Moscow will fulfil its agreement with the Armenian government signed in December 2023.' He added: 'This matter is a vivid reminder of how extensive Russian influence is on the economy, energy production, and infrastructure development of Armenia.' Dr Tase, who's authored hundreds of articles about the region and studied it for 15 years, believes it's time for the US and Europe to step in. He said: 'The EU and the US must take immediate actions to secure the reactor's physical structure, and work diligently to shut down this ticking nuclear time bomb in a timely manner. 'Metsamor might be the most serious threat to global security and stability, and key players must act now.' The plant's operators were contacted for comment. In the past, the plant's supporters have argued that it was built on a stable basalt block as a defence against earthquake damage. They've also pointed to safety measures made in the years since its reopening. WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE 1986 CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER? On April 26, 1986 a power station on the outskirts of Pripyat suffered a massive accident in which one of the reactors caught fire and exploded, spreading radioactive material into the surroundings. More than 160,000 residents of the town and surrounding areas had to be evacuated and have been unable to return, leaving the former Soviet site as a radioactive ghost town. The exclusion zone, which covers a substantial area in Ukraine and some of bordering Belarus, will remain in effect for generations to come, until radiation levels fall to safe enough levels. The region is called a 'dead zone' due to the extensive radiation which persists.
