Nuclear safety allegations: the police search the knowledge of the French nuclear power plant

Paris (dpa) – During the investigation into the alleged breach of safety regulations at the Tricastin nuclear power plant, in southern France, the police searched the nuclear power plant and the offices of the nuclear supervisory authority. The manager of the EDF plant confirmed the visit of the investigators to the plant at the end of September, during which documents were also delivered, as reported by the investigative news portal “Mediapart”.

Following a report from a senior power plant employee, the judiciary investigated for several months the allegation that the extent and duration of an accident in 2018 had been withheld from the nuclear supervisory authority. The operator dismissed the allegations in June.

The plant employee first approached EDF and the Nuclear Supervisory Authority (ASN) with his allegations. According to his own statements, he was not heard and was transferred from his post in early 2022. He then turned on the judiciary, which now investigates, among other things, for danger, failure to report accidents and claims and hindrance to nuclear safety checks. The nuclear supervisory authority declined to comment on the ongoing proceedings, writes “Mediapart”. The Tricastin nuclear power plant is one of the oldest French power plants and is located about 30 kilometers south of Montélimar.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 221028-99-298343 / 4