How Safe are Germany's Nuclear Reactors?

It's doubtful that any of Germany's nuclear reactors would be able to withstand a collision with a targeted large passenger aircraft, Germany's reactor safety commission (RSK) said in its first statement on the issue on October 16. RSK said the level of protection afforded Germany's nuclear reactors varies from plant to plant. But in the absence of any tests, their ability to withstand an aerial attack must remain in doubt.

The commission added that it would require further analysis to determine whether protection of nuclear reactors could be improved through construction and technological measures.

A new working committee has been charged with this task by Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin (Greens). Alongside aircraft crashes, Trittin also wants the committee to examine other scenarios – for example, of armed terrorists taking control of a nuclear reactor. The security of interim storage sites and of Germany's energy-supply network is also to be examined.

Trittin stressed that the first analysis by the RSK underlined the need for further examinations. But the minister declined to comment on speculation that he will push for a shorter timetable for the planned decommissioning of all of Germany's nuclear reactors.

The Economics Ministry said that it had reexamined its emergency plans to secure energy supply and found that all the principal requirements for a quick reaction to a serious interruption in oil, gas or electricity supplies were in place.