Chernobyl across the border? The security flaws in the nuclear reactor that Egypt is trying to hide

Politico revealed a secret letter from June 4, in which Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority describes 'defects' and 'violations of nuclear safety culture' in the construction of the El-Dabaa reactor, as well as 'deliberate negligence' by a project official. Rosatom, the Russian company building the reactor, denies the allegations. The station, about 650 kilometers west of Israel's border, is meant to be a cornerstone of Egypt's energy program.

The American news site Politico revealed a secret correspondence from June 4, in which Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority describes 'defects' affecting multiple reactor units and violations of 'nuclear safety culture' in the construction of the El-Dabaa power station. The letter, addressed to a senior Rosatom executive, also cites 'deliberate negligence' by a project official. The station, located on the Mediterranean coast about 650 kilometers west of Israel's border, is meant to be a cornerstone of Egypt's future energy program. Some documents, including secret company documents describing construction delays and engineering concerns, were passed through an unnamed intelligence source. Rosatom, controlled by the Kremlin, denied the allegations and stated it maintains the highest levels of nuclear safety, but refused to confirm whether it received the letter. Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority did not respond to requests for comment. The allegations could add to European concerns about Rosatom's activities, as it has tried to convince European governments it is a reliable supplier since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.