Harms ’ demand coincides with the publication of a damning new study on the risks of the continued operation of Tihange 1 . The author of the study is Prof. Manfred Mertins , an expert in nuclear engineering and former member of the German Nuclear Safety Authority . He presented the findings at a news briefing in the European Parliament . The academic came to the conclusion that the continued operation of Tihange 1 due to “ outdated reactor design , inadequate safety management and the accumulation of frequent unplanned events represents a potential danger for the site and its surroundings . ” It was particularly critical “ that the results of international tests and current safety standards are not adequately taken into account . ” On 15 March 2016 , the federal government of Belgium decided 140 soldiers would guard the nuclear sites . In late 2015 it was already decided a specially trained department of the federal police would guard the nuclear sites . After the 2016 Brussels bombings on March 22 the nuclear powerplants of Tihange and Doel were preventively evacuated , as per standard procedure if the threat level in Belgium reaches level 4 . The powerplants continued running with a minimum amount of staffing
2016 Brussels bombings
2016 Brussels bombings
Tihange Nuclear Power Station