Cypriot group: Turkey's planned nuclear plant 'huge risk'

NICOSIA - Cypriots from both sides of the east Mediterranean island's ethnic divide are banding together to oppose plans to build a nuclear power station on nearby Turkey's southern coast.

The Cyprus Anti-Nuclear Platform brings together dozens of Greek and Turkish Cypriot groups opposed to the planned Akkuyu station some 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Cyprus' northern coastline.

The opponents say completion of the Akkuyu plant carries huge risks because of the potential for an earthquake in the region.

In a declaration on yesterday's fourth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, the platform said it also opposes any nuclear plants in other neighboring countries that may cause "a tremendous disaster" for Cyprus.