A deadly earthquake in southwest Iran has not damaged the country's sole commercial nuclear plant, according to an Iranian report to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The IAEA immediately began monitoring the quake Tuesday, and its emergency center received a report from Iranian authorities that the Bushehr nuclear plant was not damaged, according to an IAEA release. The agency did not ask for additional information from the plant, based on the quake's severity. The IAEA release did not indicate whether the reactor was operating at the time or if its offsite power supply was affected.
The magnitude 6.3 earthquake's epicenter was recorded about 60 miles from the plant. Al Jazeera quoted Iranian state media estimates that reported at least 32 people died in nearby villages and more than 850 were injured.
Built by Russia's Atomstroyexport, Bushehr's single operating VVER-1000 reactor was connected to the grid in late 2011. According to the World Nuclear Association, it has since experienced equipment problems but was expected to enter commercial service in March.