Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant down to diesel power, IAEA confirms

The Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has lost all external power supply and is relying on diesel generators, a last line of defence to prevent meltdown from overheating reactor fuel, the U.N. atomic watchdog confirmed.

"This morning at around 5 a.m. local time Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost all off-site power when its last remaining 750 kilovolt line was disconnected, its only remaining back up 330 kilovolt line having been damaged a few days ago and under repair," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement on Thursday.