Leak at Czech nuclear plant

Technical problems have plagued the plant

Radioactive water has spilled at the controversial Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic.

A spokesman at the plant, which has seen repeated shutdowns and safety scares, said that the leak had not been dangerous.

"The water was slightly radioactive. The levels of radiation did not reach even the lowest classification of a radiation event," said Milan Nebesar.

The Russian-designed plant has been a source of friction between the Czech Republic and Austria, which fiercely opposes the firing up of the plant just 60km (37.5 miles) from its border.

Technical glitches

Mr Nebesar said human error was to blame for the spill.

He said staff at the plant and the surrounding environment were not at risk from the incident.

However, the incident is unlikely to help Temelin's much-criticised safety record.

Environmentalists have joined Austria in condemning the plant

The plant was shut down at the beginning of May for repairs after a series of technical problems during its testing period.

CEZ, the company which runs the plant, now says it hopes to begin commercial operation in September - three months behind schedule.

Temelin was first planned by the communist authorities in the 1980s but its completion was thrown into doubt after the transition to democracy in 1989.

The government's decision finally to go ahead with the construction attracted fierce criticism from environmentalists and from Austria, which voted to be a nuclear-free country in the 1970s.

It was bitterly opposed to the plant, situated on its doorstep, and even threatened to block Czech membership of the EU if the power station was built.

But Czech and Austrian leaders resolved the dispute with an agreement last year to set up a joint safety commission for the plant.