Russian Nuclear Regulatory insists on shut down. The building where the reactor is located was contaminated. The workers were tasked to load a fuel element inside the reactor, but miscalculated and opened the lid of a channel with fuel inside. Radioactive gases gushed out, contaminating the reactor construction. They were rushed to the hospital, but were sent home later as their condition was said to be normal.
Officials say no radiation escaped into the environment.
The two reactors were reportedly being shut down at the time of the incident for routine maintenance and fuel change. These graphite-moderated reactors were designed to produce weapons grade plutonium. In compliance with the agreement singed by then Russian Prime-Minister Victor Chernomyrdin and U.S. Vice President Al Gore in June 1994, the reactors were to be shut down by 2000. However, the project seems to be shelved, as Russia says the reactors are the major source of heat and electricity for the neighbouring cities and substitutes have to be built first. Another option, worked out in co-operation with the U.S., was to convert the reactor cores in order to prevent plutonium production, but so far this project received no go as well.