Tokyo March 4 2022: Share prices have fallen in Asia after a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest in Europe.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index was 2.5% lower and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down by 2.6%.
Oil prices rose in Asia morning trade, with Brent crude above $112 a barrel.
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The biggest nuclear plant is on fire: Ukraine
The fire happened after Russia troops shelled the plant. Some investor concerns were eased after officials said the plant’s safety was “secured”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later said that it had spoken to Ukraine’s leadership and had been told important equipment at the plant was still working.
The shelling has drawn international condemnation, with the US President Joe Biden joining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in urging Russia to cease the shelling and allow firefighters to access the site.