Environmentalists warn of ‘Chernobyl on ice’

A floating Russian nuclear power station that environmentalists are calling a potential "Chernobyl on ice” set sail Friday on a 3,000-mile journey across the Arctic.

The Akademik Lomonosov, which left the port of Murmansk and is destined for Pevek, is carrying highly radioactive fuel and two tsunami-proof nuclear reactors on board, according to the BBC. Three tugs are pulling the ship east so it can provide power to a remote, Siberian mining complex.

Its launch comes just two weeks after a nuclear missile explosion at a naval weapons testing range in northwestern Russia left five dead, including two people who reports say died from radiation sickness. Medics who treated victims from that blast separately told the BBC Friday they now fear that they have been irradiated themselves, as they were working with no protection and the military never warned them about any contamination risks.

 

Environmentalists have been sounding the alarm about the risks of a ship like the Akademik Lomonosov traveling through a part of the world known for harsh and unpredictable weather.

An article about the vessel posted on Greenpeace’s website says "the next nuclear catastrophe could well be a Chernobyl on ice or a Chernobyl on-the-rocks.”

Critics also are concerned about the ship polluting the Arctic and the capabilities of Russian authorities to clean up a disaster in the remote region should one occur.

 

Posted by: Bill H at August 23, 2019 11:26 PM (vMiSr)

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at August 24, 2019 06:06 AM (Sm0ZE)

Posted by: Johnny Potter at August 28, 2019 03:28 PM (DhuD5)

Hide Comments | Add Comment