Explosion at Flamanville nuclear station

In terms of plans in place if there were to be a legitimate nuclear incident, we would receive information very early on from our French colleagues as per our current Memorandum of Understanding.

In such an event, the States of Guernsey has an established plan of actions that would be immediately carried out. These include the formation of a Strategic Coordinating Group, supported by the Radiation Advisory Group, to consider the implications and required response.

Further support would be offered by bodies such as RIMNET (Radiation Incident Monitoring Network) and Public Health England to assist in decision making. Additionally, we would if necessary be able to draw on direct UK assistance through the NAIR (National Arrangements for Incidents Involving Radiation) Scheme.

From a communications perspective, if the situation required immediate notification to all residents we have access to a critical communications programme that would allow us to text every mobile in the Bailiwick. This technology would also be able to call every landline and mobile and issue an automated voice message. This action would be carried out via the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre. Please note that, due to data protection legislation, the States of Guernsey would be authorised to utilise this technology in this way only if there was a critical incident.

A minor incident occurred this morning at the Flamanville nuclear facility caused by a small explosion which resulted in a small fire. The facility notified SoJP as a matter of courtesy and confirmed that the fire has been extinguished, that there are no injuries or any further risks and that this is NOT a nuclear incident.

The authorities at Flamanville contacted the States of Jersey Police this morning to inform them that there had been a small explosion and fire in a machine room at the plant. The Chief of Staff at the Préfecture of la Manche also contacted Jersey’s Bureau des Iles Anglo-Normandes and explained that the fire was in an area where no nuclear materials were present and had been extinguished.

These calls were made out of courtesy despite the fact that the fire did not involve nuclear materials and the Flammanville emergency plan was not triggered. The Jersey authorities are in ongoing communication with the Préfecture and would like to reassure Islanders that this will have no impact on Jersey and there is no cause for any concern.

We received notification from Flamanville at 11.01am that there had been a small explosion and resultant fire. The explosion occurred in a machine room outside of the reactor zone. We must be clear that this was not a nuclear incident and I would like to reassure Bailiwick residents that the small fire has been extinguished, there are no injuries and no further risks associated with this incident.

Flamanville’s emergency plan, which the Channel Islands are included in, was not triggered as there were no nuclear risks attached to this incident. The matter has been resolved and we remain in contact with our colleagues in France.