The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced on Thursday that he will visit the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) next week, citing ongoing concerns about nuclear safety at the site.

Grossi's visit follows a series of incidents that have raised alarm, including a recent fire at the plant's cooling tower and a nearby drone strike earlier this month. During his visit, he intends to hold high-level discussions and assess the situation at the facility.

"A nuclear accident must be avoided at all costs, and a nuclear power plant must never be attacked. The consequences could be disastrous, and no one stands to benefit from it," Grossi said. He stressed that attacks on nuclear power plants are unacceptable and vowed to continue efforts to protect the site's safety.

The IAEA reported that its experts at the ZNPP have continued to detect explosions and signs of military activity near the plant, adding to concerns over the precarious situation. Grossi also highlighted the increasing fragility of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and its potential impact on the safety of the nation's nuclear facilities.

(With input from Xinhua)