Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: A drone strike has reportedly hit near the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region in Abu Dhabi emirates on Sunday, May 17.  The incident occurred in an external electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

Abu Dhabi authorities responded to a fire, and there are no reports of casualties or injuries. The officials have also confirmed there was no impact on radiological safety levels.

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The authorities have taken all  precautionary measures. The plant is one of the largest source of power in the gulf country. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said the incident did not affect the safety of the nuclear power plant or the readiness of its essential systems, adding that all units are operating normally.

The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the Emirates with the help of South Korea and went online in 2020. Notably, it is the first and only nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula. Following the incident, officials have directed the public to rely only on verified sources of information and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.

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Nuclear power plants increasingly have found themselves targeted in wars in recent years, first during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and second during the Iran war launched by the US and Israel.