Controversial nuclear reactor shuts down

One of the Soviet-designed reactors at a controversial nuclear power station in the Czech Republic has closed down during operational tests.

A spokesman for the Temelin nuclear plant Milan Nebesar said the reactor posed no safety risk, but didn't say why the automatic emergency procedure went into effect.

He also said a full account of the incident had been given to the neighbouring Austrian authorities.

This is the second malfunction at the Temelin plant since it started generating last month -- in spite of a wave of protests by Austrians who say it is unsafe.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service