By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - Three drones entered the grounds of the Genkai nuclear power complex in southwestern Japan on Saturday, Kyodo News reported Sunday, citing the country’s nuclear watchdog.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said it was alerted to the incident by Kyushu Electric Power, which operates the four-reactor Genkai Nuclear Power Station.
After the incident was reported around 9 pm (1200GMT), the Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no irregularities were found and there was no threat to the surrounding area.
Drone activity above or near nuclear plants is generally prohibited, and an official from the watchdog described it as “extremely unusual.”
Police are continuing their search for the drones, and it remains unclear who controlled them and why they were flying on the grounds of the nuclear site.
Officials reported that radiation levels around the plant remained normal and there was no need for residents to evacuate.
While the No. 1 and 2 reactors at the site are being decommissioned, the No. 3 and 4 units resumed operations in 2018, following enhanced safety regulations introduced after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster caused by a March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.