Evacuation and reception centres

The decision to evacuate the population will be prepared by the Crisis Cell based on the analysis of the Radiological Evaluation Cell. The Communication and Information Cell will communicate the decision to the population.

The main factors on which the decision to evacuate is based are:

• the scale and characteristics of the nuclear accident;
• the weather conditions, in particular wind direction.

If you are required to evacuate in the event of a nuclear accident, you should do so under your own steam in a private car if possible.

Evacuation is one of the protective measures provided for in the emergency response plan.

The evacuation of inhabitants from one specific zone may be ordered either before or after a radioactive cloud passes over, depending on the scale and characteristics of the accident and the weather conditions.

The Radiological Evaluation Cell, made up in particular of experts from the Department for Radiation Protection at the Ministry of Health, will carry out an analysis of the situation.

• Evacuation before a radioactive cloud passes over may be ordered if there is a period of at least several hours between the accident inside the nuclear power station and the presumed emission of the radioactive cloud and if the consequences of the accident could be serious for the people living in the regions that may be affected.Several hours may pass between the accident and the release phase.
• Evacuation after a radioactive cloud passes over may be ordered if, on the basis of the results of the radioactivity measurements taken, the quantity of radioactive depositions would cause levels of irradiation that would pose a danger to health if the population remained in its current location.

It should be noted that in the event of an evacuation, you should follow the instructions of the authorities in all circumstances and at all times. All the measures set in the government's emergency response plan in the event of a nuclear accident aim to provide the best possible protection for the population of Luxembourg.

Evacuating the population in the event of a nuclear emergency is one of the three main measures for protecting the population that is set by the emergency response plan in the event of a nuclear emergency.

The details of this plan, such as the definition of the action zones and spheres, have been detailed by the Ministry of State, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In the event of an accident, the exact boundaries of the area to be evacuated will be set by the Crisis Cell based on an analysis carried out by the Radiological Evaluation Cell.

It is impossible to predict which towns and villages will be evacuated in the event of a nuclear accident at Cattenom as evacuation depends on the scale of the accident and in particular on the wind direction.

Similarly, it cannot be predicted beforehand whether an evacuation will take place in the event of a nuclear accident as the scale of such an accident cannot be known in advance.

The measures triggered by the Crisis Cell depend on the analyses of the Radiological Evaluation Cell.

In the event of a nuclear accident, evacuating the population is a measure only to be taken in extreme situations. In the event of an evacuation before radioactive substances are released, it is essential to ensure that there is enough time for this to be carried out well and to avoid people becoming stuck in traffic jams when a radioactive cloud passes over.

This is why the first protective measure to be taken in the event of an emergency is taking shelter. This measure meets two important criteria: safety and speed of implementation.

Taking shelter, i.e. entering a building and closing the doors and windows, is a measure that provides very high levels of protection.

No, such a decision always depends on the radiological situation. It is possible that radiological depositions when a radioactive cloud passes over are small enough (for example if it does not rain) that the population can continue to live there.

The conditions and possible restrictions to be applied in such an event will be defined in a post-accident plan.

Evacuation mainly targets people in the areas where radiological exposure risks exceeding the reference values set by the response plan.

Any potential evacuation will primarily affect the people living in the first residential area closest to the Cattenom power station, called the primary planning zone (zone de planification primaire), located within a 15 km radius of the station.

The authorities' instructions should be followed in all circumstances and at all times. All the measures set in the government's emergency response plan in the event of a nuclear accident aim to provide the best possible protection for the population of Luxembourg.

You have been informed that you will be evacuated because your home is located in a zone that is particularly exposed to radioactive radiation. Any potential evacuation will primarily affect the people living in the first residential area closest to the Cattenom power station, called the primary planning zone (zone de planification primaire), located within a 15 km radius of the station.

If you are required to evacuate in the event of a nuclear accident, you should do so under your own steam in a private car if possible.

Evacuating schools, retirement homes, hospitals and other establishments is part of the response plan.

The authorities will therefore ensure they are evacuated.

It is unlikely that a large part of the population will need to be evacuated. In this very specific case, the country will face a situation it cannot manage using its own emergency means. The government will then ask for help from foreign countries and in particular from the neighbouring countries with which it has signed mutual assistance agreements in the event of a catastrophe.

The authorities are aware of this potential risk. A spontaneous evacuation could lead to a chaotic situation, given that the people affected by the evacuation would all leave at the same time. In order to avoid panic, the instructions issued by the authorities should be followed to the letter.

It is crucial that you remain calm at all times.

You don't need to take anything special or difficult to carry with you. You should think about what you really need:

• Ensure you have access to information, for example via the radio in your car, a portable radio or internet access via your mobile phone or tablet;
• Take suitable clothing for the weather conditions;
• Take as well
  • your identity documents and the documents for your car;
  • the keys to your house and car (and spares, if possible);
  • a means of payment;a charged mobile phone with battery and charger;
  • bottles of water and some snacks for the journey given that there may be traffic jams;
  • a medical kit containing any medication as well as first aid products;
  • a bag containing sanitary products for your baby;
  • toys for your children.

If you are required to evacuate in the event of a nuclear accident, you should do so under your own steam in a private car if possible.

Yes. In the event of an evacuation because of a nuclear accident, if possible and by your own means, pets may be taken in the car with you.

Yes. In the event of an evacuation because of a nuclear accident, if possible and by your own means, pets may be taken in the car with you.

The emergency response plan in the event of a nuclear accident specifies two groups of people to be evacuated: mobile and immobile people.

• People who can get around without the help of a third person, and who have their own method of transport for leaving the evacuation zone are considered mobile.
• People who are hospitalised, have reduced mobility, live in a care home or receive home care are considered immobile.

The authorities will ensure they are evacuated in such a situation.

Shuttle buses will be organised to collect them from the nearest fundamental school or school transport stop.

In communes with a railway station, evacuation will take place by train.

The objective of the Luxembourg authorities is to ensure that transport continues to move smoothly throughout the territory of Luxembourg by ensuring as far as possible that, in cooperation with the authorities of bordering countries, problems that could arise are anticipated and the response to problems that have already arisen is adapted.

This includes the following:

• the road network;
• inland waterways;
• airspace and Luxembourg airport;
• the railway network.

The authorities envisage different scenarios in order to coordinate exceptional measures at Greater Region level, manage national transport and organise special transport.

Disruption can however be caused by the specific nature of the emergency situation.

Depending on the situation, the government may recommend that potassium iodide tablets be taken before the evacuation.

The reception centres are located in the main towns in the secondary planning zone, the area that starts at the boundary of the primary planning zone, depending on the severity of the accident.

The role of the reception centres is to:

• house individuals/families that have not found refuge on their own;
• reunite family members that have become lost;
• ensure that the people lodged there receive medical care.

They will be set up in public buildings (sports centres, multi-purpose halls, etc.) with adapted sanitation facilities.

They will be tested regularly to evaluate how fit for purpose they would be in the event of a nuclear accident.

If required, the Crisis Cell will put in place a screening station near the reception centre. It will monitor possible contamination on people's skin or clothes if they have been exposed and will carry out decontamination if necessary.

The location of the reception centres is far enough away from the Cattenom nuclear power station that the effects of the accident will have no major impact. What is more, it is important that there is appropriate infrastructure immediately available if needed.

No, reception centres are reserved for people living in areas affected by the accident.

Set up in public buildings (sports centres, multi-purpose halls, etc.), the reception centres are equipped with adapted sanitation facilities and, if necessary, beds for evacuees.

The equipment will be tested regularly to evaluate how fit for purpose it would be in the event of a nuclear accident.

The capacity of the reception centres provided for in the plan varies.

If necessary, centres with additional capacity will be made available.

The length of stay in a reception centre cannot be known in advance as it depends on the type and evolution of the nuclear accident.

All the necessary equipment will be available in the reception centres and they will also have a medical service.

In general, if you are undergoing medical treatment for a serious illness, you should continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor for the duration of the crisis.

If in doubt you should contact your doctor.

It is not possible to answer that question at the time when the decision is made to order an evacuation. Such a decision is always based on an analysis and an assessment of the uncertainties. It is only after an accident that the radiological risk in the zones affected can be evaluated precisely. This is the point at which the decision is taken to allow people to return home or not. The post-accident plan will set the criteria relating to such decisions, as well as the conditions and restriction on a return.

If we take the accident at Fukushima as an example, there were areas, both close to the reactor and in the direct line of the wind, to which it was not possible for the population to return. People were able to return to other evacuated areas.

In any event, it should remain possible to return for a short period of time to retrieve personal possessions.