Setback could lead to serious nuclear fallout
Source: Agencies |
March 26, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A SUSPECTED breach in the core of a reactor at the stricken Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant could mean more serious radioactive contamination, Japanese officials said yesterday.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan called Japan's ongoing fight to stabilize the plant "very grave and serious."
Kan sounded the pessimistic note at a briefing hours after nuclear safety officials announced what could be a major setback in the fight to stop the plant leaking radiation.
"The situation today at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant is still very grave and serious. We must remain vigilant," Kan said. "We are not in a position where we can be optimistic. We must treat every development with the utmost care."
The uncertain situation halted work at the nuclear complex, where dozens had been battling to stop the overheated plant from leaking radiation. The plant has leaked some low levels of radiation, but a breach could mean a much larger release.
Suspicions of a possible breach were raised when two workers waded into water 10,000 times more radioactive than is typical and suffered skin burns, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.
Kan apologized to farmers and business owners for the toll the radiation has had on their livelihoods. Several countries have halted some food imports from areas near the plant after milk and produce were found to contain elevated levels of radiation.
The prime minister also thanked utility workers, firefighters and military personnel for "risking their lives" to cool the overheated facility.
Yesterday marked two weeks to the day since the magnitude-9.0 quake triggered a tsunami that enveloped cities along the northeastern coast and knocked out the Fukushima reactor's cooling systems.
The nuclear crisis has compounded the challenges faced by a nation already saddled with a humanitarian disaster. Much of the northeast remains a scene of despair and devastation, with Japan struggling to feed and house hundreds of thousands of homeless survivors, clear away debris and bury the dead.
Still, there were examples of resilience, patience and fortitude.
In Soma, the tsunami washed away the shop where Hiroshi Suzuki sold fish and seaweed.
He said: "I never expected to have to live through anything like this. My business is gone. I don't think I will ever be able to recover."
But the 59-year-old added: "The one good thing is the way everyone is pulling together and helping each other. No one is stealing or looting. It makes me proud to be Japanese."
Prime Minister Naoto Kan called Japan's ongoing fight to stabilize the plant "very grave and serious."
Kan sounded the pessimistic note at a briefing hours after nuclear safety officials announced what could be a major setback in the fight to stop the plant leaking radiation.
"The situation today at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant is still very grave and serious. We must remain vigilant," Kan said. "We are not in a position where we can be optimistic. We must treat every development with the utmost care."
The uncertain situation halted work at the nuclear complex, where dozens had been battling to stop the overheated plant from leaking radiation. The plant has leaked some low levels of radiation, but a breach could mean a much larger release.
Suspicions of a possible breach were raised when two workers waded into water 10,000 times more radioactive than is typical and suffered skin burns, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.
Kan apologized to farmers and business owners for the toll the radiation has had on their livelihoods. Several countries have halted some food imports from areas near the plant after milk and produce were found to contain elevated levels of radiation.
The prime minister also thanked utility workers, firefighters and military personnel for "risking their lives" to cool the overheated facility.
Yesterday marked two weeks to the day since the magnitude-9.0 quake triggered a tsunami that enveloped cities along the northeastern coast and knocked out the Fukushima reactor's cooling systems.
The nuclear crisis has compounded the challenges faced by a nation already saddled with a humanitarian disaster. Much of the northeast remains a scene of despair and devastation, with Japan struggling to feed and house hundreds of thousands of homeless survivors, clear away debris and bury the dead.
Still, there were examples of resilience, patience and fortitude.
In Soma, the tsunami washed away the shop where Hiroshi Suzuki sold fish and seaweed.
He said: "I never expected to have to live through anything like this. My business is gone. I don't think I will ever be able to recover."
But the 59-year-old added: "The one good thing is the way everyone is pulling together and helping each other. No one is stealing or looting. It makes me proud to be Japanese."
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