Fire Breaks Out at UAE's Barakah Nuclear Plant Following Drone Attack

By Lee Seongjin Posted : May 17, 2026, 19:51 Updated : May 17, 2026, 19:51
Overview of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE, built with technology exported from South Korea [Photo=Korea Electric Power Corporation]
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, experienced a fire following a drone attack on May 17.

According to the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office, the fire occurred at a generator located outside the internal perimeter of the Barakah facility in the Al Dhafra region, prompting an emergency response.

No casualties have been reported as a result of the fire, and it has been confirmed that there is no impact on radiation safety levels. The UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) stated that all core systems at the plant are operating normally.

Authorities in the UAE did not specify who was responsible for the drone attack.

The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is the first commercial nuclear power facility in the Middle East, constructed in Abu Dhabi using the APR1400 reactor technology developed by Korea Electric Power Corporation. Since its contract award in 2009, all four units (totaling 5,600 MW) began commercial operations in April 2024, currently supplying about 25% of the UAE's total electricity demand.



* This article has been translated by AI.

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