A bicommunal protest against the Akkuyu nuclear plant in Turkey was held in the buffer zone on Wednesday.

Protesters gathered in Nicosia between the two checkpoints at the Home for Cooperation café to voice their opposition to the power plant, which is just opposite Cyprus’ northern coast.

Major construction of the plant, significantly aided by Russia, began in 2018 while the first unit is expected to be operational in 2023. Another three units are due for 2025.

Concerns range from the potential impacts of earthquakes on the plant, how the nuclear waste will be handled and the wider impact of nuclear energy expansion in the region.

The Cyprus Anti-Nuclear Platform group attended the protest as member of the group Kyriacos Tsimillis told local media earlier in the day that the decision to hold the demonstration in the buffer zone was important. He said involving both communities symbolised the potential impact of the plant on Cyprus as whole.