Saturday, March 12, 2011

Japan earthquake and tsunami: Thousands undergo radioactive screening after explosion

Japan earthquake and tsunami: Thousands undergo radioactive screening after explosion

 

  • Three workers treated for radiation sickness after explosion in reactor building
  • Authorities evacuate thousands of people from 12-mile radius of plant
  • People offered iodine to help protect against radiation exposure
  • Plant's cooling systems damaged by powerful earthquake

People were evacuated within a 12-mile radius after an explosion at one of Japan's nuclear power plants.

The building housing one of Fukushima Dai-ichi's reactors was destroyed in the blast and a cloud of white smoke could be seen pouring from it.

Four workers suffered fractures in the explosion, and three were treated for the symptoms of radiation sickness.

Checks: Officials carry out radiation tests on children who were evacuated from the area near Fukushima

Checks: Officials carry out radiation tests on children who were evacuated from the area near Fukushima

The Japanese government said the metal container sheltering the nuclear reactor was not damaged by the explosion.

Spokesman Yukio Edano said the radiation around the plant had begun to decrease and that pressure inside the reactor was also going down.

Meltdown fears: An explosion destroyed the walls and roof of a building at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant

Meltdown fears: An explosion destroyed the walls and roof of a building at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant

 

Radiation: Levels around the plant have already reached 20 times normal and there were fears the reactor could meltdown

Radiation: Levels around the plant have already reached 20 times normal and there were fears the reactor could meltdown

 

The plant's cooling system had been damaged after the 9-magnitude earthquake struck yesterday and there were fears it could go into meltdown.

 

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