Gas leak at Spanish nuclear plant kills one, injures three others

Gas leak at Spanish nuclear plant kills one, injures three others

Gas leak at Spanish nuclear plant kills one, injures three others.

Gas leak at Spanish nuclear plant kills one, injures three others.

The Ascó and the neighbouring Vandellos II nuclear power plants account for approximately 50 per cent of Catalonia’s electrical grid.

GUARDIA Civil are investigating the death of a worker and the injury of three others after a carbon dioxide (Co2) leak occurred at the Ascó nuclear power plant in the Spanish region of Catalonia.

The four individuals were performing routine maintenance tasks on fire fighting systems at the Ascó nuclear power plant in the province of Tarragona. Firefighters received notice of the event shortly after 7 pm on Wednesday, November 24.

According to early reports, the work-related accident occurred when the fire control system of the control building, a four-story building far from the radiological site of the power plant, was being recharged. The plant continued to operate at all times without any apparent problem.

For unspecified reasons, a fault in the plant’s fire prevention system caused the gas leak that poisoned several people when the dioxide came out.

Between the work of the fire brigade and the plant’s own personnel, they managed to re-establish safe conditions and according to the Europa Press, the incident was “not linked to the radiological activity” at Ascó.

The Ascó Vandellós Nuclear Association (ANAV) said in a statement that they are keeping an investigation open into the incident and have sent their condolences to the victim’s family.

The Ascó and the neighbouring Vandellos II nuclear power plants account for approximately 50 per cent of Catalonia’s electrical grid.

Spain has begun the process of phasing out its nuclear power plants by 2035, in a bid to fully power the nation using renewable energy by 2050, according to Sputnik News.

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Written by

Matthew Roscoe

Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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