Eskom has confirmed that no radiation leak occurred during routine maintenance at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station's Unit 2, assuring the public there was no risk to employees, communities, or the environment.

The incident, classified as Level 0 (no safety significance) on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), involved brief airborne radioactivity events detected inside a controlled work area during steam generator inspections.These detections were confined to the containment building and did not result in radioactive material release beyond plant barriers.

The utility explained that microscopic oxide particles ('crud') became airborne during Eddy Current Testing (ECT), a standard inspection method.Robotic probes were used to assess steam generator tubes, identifying wall thinning risks early.

Eskom emphasized that such minor particulate events are common in pressurised water reactors globally and are managed through robust safety systems including HEPA filtration, negative pressure environments, and continuous radiation monitoring.

Plant personnel immediately halted inspections, secured the area, and restored conditions to normal after ventilating and filtering airborne particles.The incident demonstrated Koeberg's defence-in-depth approach, with all safety systems functioning as designed.

Eskom reiterated its commitment to nuclear safety, regulatory compliance, and transparency in operating South Africa's only nuclear power station.