Nuclear plant in France explodes, no contamination risk say authorities

The explosion allegedly happened outside the plant's nuclear zone

An explosion at a nuclear power station in northern France on Thursday caused minor injuries but happened outside the plant's nuclear zone and posed no risk of contamination, authorities said.

"It is a significant technical event but it is not a nuclear accident," senior local official Olivier Marmion told AFP following the blast at the Flamanville plant 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of Cherbourg.