Hot water caused mishap at Kudankulam: AERB

Says no design deficiencies behind the mishap

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) said the recent incident at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) that caused injuries to six workers was due to the release of trapped hot water.

The AERB reviewed the May 14 hot water spillage incident at KNPP Unit-I.  

Based on the investigations of AERB at the site as well as a review by a high-level committee of AERB, it was concluded the incident of the hot water spillage leading to the hot water burn injuries to three of NPCIL workers and three of the contract workers, was due to the release of trapped hot water, said the AERB.

It further stated the incident happened during the dismantling of 500 mm sized valve as part of routine maintenance work sans adequate draining of hot water.

The investigation also concluded that there was no design deficiency with respect to the construction of the aforesaid valve. The injured persons were having a first degree burn and are presently undergoing treatment at hospitals.

The six workers present at the plant during the incident had sustained nearly 50 per cent burn injuries due to spillage of hot water in the turbine building in KNNP at 12.10 pm, and have been shifted to a hospital in Nagarcoil.

After the incident, the administration of the nuclear plant clarified that there was no “blast” and “no leakage of radioactivity”.