from dw.de: Unidentified drones seen over several of France’s nuclear reactors in
recent weeks prompted the French government to launch an investigation
on Thursday.

“Measures are being taken to know what these drones are and neutralize
them,” French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told France Info
Radio.

According to the state electricity company EDF, the unmanned aircraft
were spotted over seven nuclear plants across the country between
October 5th and October 20th, without any impact on the plants’ safety
or functioning.

It is not known who was behind the mysterious flights. Aircraft are not
permitted to fly within a 5-kilometer (3-mile) radius and an altitude of
1,000 meters (3,280 feet) over nuclear plants.

In France, suspicion immediately fell on the anti-nuclear lobby. The
environmental campaign group Greenpeace denied any involvement in the
incident and called the drone sighting “very worrisome.” 

Its activists
have carried out several break-ins at nuclear plants in recent years in a
bid to raise awareness about nuclear safety.