FOG BLOG UKRAINE LOG: IODINE TABLETS GIVEN OUT TO RESIDENTS NEAR ZAPORIZHZHIA PLANT AS FEARS MOUNT!

Locals near Ukraine nuclear plant given iodine tablets as fighting prompts fears of catastrophe Continued shelling was reported overnight at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Authorities near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant began distributing iodine tablets to residents on Friday, in case of a radiation leak, amid mounting fears that the fighting around the complex could trigger a catastrophe.

The move came a day after the plant was temporarily knocked offline because of what officials said was fire damage to a transmission line. The incident heightened dread of a nuclear disaster in a country still haunted by the 1986 explosion at Chornobyl.

Continued shelling was reported in the area overnight, and satellite images from Planet Labs showed fires burning around the complex — Europe's biggest nuclear plant — over the last several days.

Iodine tablets, which help block the absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland in the event of a nuclear accident, were issued in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 45 kilometres from the plant.

The UN's atomic energy agency has been trying to send a team in to inspect and help secure the plant. Officials said preparations for the trip were underway, but remained unclear about when it might take place.