38-Hour Simulation of Global Nuclear Accident Concludes: The exercise tests International Nuclear Emergency Response System

Over two days in July 2008, the IAEA emergency response team coordinated a test of international plans and systems for responding to a potentially serious radiological event. The 38-hour emergency exercise to a simulated accident at a nuclear power plant has successfully concluded. The exercise was coordinated by the IAEA in cooperation with 75 countries and 9 international organizations.

The simulated accident occurred at Mexico´s Laguna Verde nuclear power plant, a two-unit facility along the Gulf of Mexico coast. As the emergency drill progressed, the simulated accident escalated in severity, ultimately rated as a Level 5 "Accident with Wider Consequences" on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) because of its potential effects outside the plant site. The event challenged the readiness of nuclear safety, emergency operations, and communications mechanisms to respond to a theoretical radiological or nuclear mishap.

The exercise was a success in that it demonstrated strengths but also the weak points in the international emergency response system, said the IAEA´s Rafael Martincic, who led the preparation and evaluation of the Laguna Verde exercise. Only by identifying weaknesses can we improve the System´s response to large-scale radiological emergencies, he said. A previous simulative exercise took place in Romania in 2005.

The focus now is on evaluating the Laguna Verde exercise, to review findings and identify lessons learned that will further improve the international nuclear emergency response system.