Japan earthquake and tsunami: State of emergency after nuclear power plant crippled

Japan earthquake and tsunami: State of emergency after nuclear power plant crippled

 

• Pressure rises to 2.1 times normal level
  
• Experts warn the situation 'could turn grave'

Japanese nuclear officials were today fighting to contain a suspected radiation leak after an explosion at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Several workers have been injured by the blast as they continue the struggle to contain radiation leaks at the crippled reactor.

Thousands of people within a 12-mile radius of the Fukushima facility were evacuated as radiation rose to 1,000 times the safe level and pressure grew, fueling fears of an explosion.

With growing tension at the plant 150 miles north of Tokyo, a second state of emergency was declared as pressure rose in two reactors at the facility.

Earlier officials had proposed releasing radioactive vapour into the atmosphere in a bid to prevent an explosion after its cooling system failed.

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Meltdown: An explosion has been heard and smoke seen at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant

The country's nuclear safety agency says pressure inside the reactor had now risen to 2.1 times the level considered normal.

'It's possible that radioactive material in the reactor vessel could leak outside but the amount is expected to be small, and the wind blowing towards the sea will be considered,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news conference.

'Residents are safe after those within a 3km radius were evacuated and those within a 10km radius are staying indoors, so we want people to be calm,' he added.