Brazil disconnects nuclear power plant

Rio De Janeiro: One of Brazil's two nuclear reactors has been disconnected because of a flaw in a condenser that cools the steam used by the plant's electric power generator.

Eletronuclear that operates the Angra Nuclear I power plant in the coastal city of Angra dos Reis in the state of Rio de Janeiro says on its website that the plant was disconnected early Thursday morning to safeguard of other equipment such as steam generators.

Eletronuclear said the condenser is not located in the "nuclear area of the plant" and that the flaw did not represent risks to workers, the public or the environment.

It said maintenance and engineering crews are working to fix the flaw so that the plant can resume operations as soon as possible.