This afternoon I received a Tweet from a friend telling me that Metro TV has reported about a loud explosion at the Technology Research Center (Puspitek) in Serpong, Banten, around 30 kilometers away from Jakarta.
A few hours later, TV stations reported that the Police has announced that the explosion came from a bomb placed outside the Puspitek.
I was very worried to hear about this news because Puspitek is the location of the Siwabesy Multipurpose Nuclear Research Reactor, which according to the website of the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN) was built in 1992 on an area of 25 Hectares, with a power capacity of 30 Megawatts.
Although this nuclear reactor is very small compared to the 5 troubled nuclear reactors in Furishima, Japan, which according to Wikipedia have power capacity between 460 MW and 1,100 MW, but still it has the potential to spread radiation if not operated, maintained and secured properly.
Considering the above, I hope that the government, Batan, law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies would make sure that the the nuclear reactor would be operated, maintained and strictly guarded based on the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
3 comments:
great.. I read this before bed time.. now I cant sleep. My own fault. Seriously.. I dont get why they build the reactor near big cities like Jakarta, Jogja and Bandung. Yes I know they have universities.. but why didnt they build it a bit far away... more in the rural area so easier to evacuate less people.
They all have the potential for danger if not maintained properly, or as in the case of japan, from natural disasters.
Hi Triesti,
Sorry if this post disturb your sleep.
Shows that you care although you are now still far Ireland.
Nuclear reactors are not a lot more than dangerous than Jatiluhur Dam, or the Steam Electric Generator in Pluit. If they are maintained based on the standard procedures everything will be fine.
Of course they would all be vulnerable if hit by natural disaster.
Hi Peter/Kiwi,
Yes you are right, the key is proper maintanance.
@killect
Post a Comment