Global Security Newswire
Daily News on Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Weapons, Terrorism and Related Issues
Incursions Highlight Security Lapses at French Nuclear Sites
Authorities in France admitted that heightened security is needed at atomic facilities after the environmental organization Greenpeace sent people into two sites on Monday, the New York Times reported (see GSN
Successful incursions occurred at two locations and similar efforts were made at no fewer than two additional facilities, according to officials. Authorities took nine people into custody at a plant at Nogent-sur-Seine and another two in Cruas.
Protections at the facilities are "insufficient," according to Greenpeace, which urged the shuttering of all 58 French nuclear reactors, which provide more than 75 percent of the nation's energy (Scott Sayare, New York Times, Dec. 6).
"This action shows how vulnerable the French nuclear centrals are: Peaceful activists have managed with a few means, to reach the heart of the nuclear central! Why? How? Because the security device is insufficient," according to an online statement from Greenpeace.
Reviews of all French nuclear plants are planned, CNN reported (CNN, Dec. 5).
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