Luxembourg participates in the cross-border exercise "Cattenom 2026"

On 4th and 5th June 2026, Luxembourg will take part in a large-scale nuclear safety and civil protection exercise organised by the French authorities at the Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant and at the Moselle Prefecture.

A cross-border crisis management exercise

Organised every five years, this exercise aims to test the preparedness and coordination of stakeholders in a nuclear crisis situation. It involves numerous participants in France as well as in neighbouring countries, notably Luxembourg and Germany (both at federal level and in the Länder of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland), in order to strengthen cross-border cooperation.

The fictional scenario, kept confidential until the start of the exercise, will simulate a threat situation related to a technical accident that could lead to a release of radioactivity. This approach ensures realistic reactions and testing under near-real conditions.

No specific action is required from the public during the exercise.

Mobilisation of Luxembourg structures

In this context, Luxembourg will activate its national crisis management structures at the start of the exercise:

• the Radiological Assessment Cell (CER), responsible for technical analysis of the situation;
• the Crisis Cell (CC), convened at the National Crisis Centre (HCPN) to coordinate decisions;
• the Communication and Information Cell (CCI), responsible for informing the public and ensuring message consistency;
• a liaison officer deployed in Metz to facilitate communication with the French authorities.

Regular exchanges, particularly via videoconference, will ensure close coordination with French authorities and other international partners.

Testing alert and communication systems

The exercise will also test the reorganisation of cross-border alert chain procedures.

Particular attention will be paid to crisis communication, both between authorities and towards the public, to ensure coherent, rapid and reliable information.

Objectives for Luxembourg

Luxembourg's participation aims in particular to:

• test the reception and processing of alerts;
• assess the implementation of the governmental crisis management plan in the event of a nuclear accident;
• verify the functioning of crisis management structures, especially CER, CCI and CC;
• strengthen cross-border coordination and information exchange;
• ensure coherent communication with French authorities.

Strengthening preparedness for nuclear risks

Luxembourg's participation in this exercise is also part of the implementation of the National Resilience Strategy (SNR), through the "Lëtz prepare!" initiative, aimed at strengthening the country's ability to anticipate, absorb and overcome major crises.

Through its active participation, Luxembourg reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a high level of preparedness for nuclear risks and to effectively protecting the population through enhanced international cooperation.

Press release issued by the High Commission for National Protection, the Radiation Protection Division of the Directorate of Health, the Ministry of Health and Social Security, and the Ministry of Home Affairs