Explosion at Japan's nuclear plant
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Fukushima, Japan, March 12, IRNA -- An explosion occurred at Japan’s nuclear power plant in Fukushima Saturday, Japanese media reported.
Japan’s Jiji news agency said there had been an explosion at the stricken 40-year-old Daichi 1 reactor and TV footage showed vapour rising from the plant, which lies 240 kms (150 miles) north of Tokyo.
The 8.9-magnitude earthquake -- the strongest ever recorded in Japan -- sent a 10-metre tsunami ripping through towns and cities across the northeast coast. Japanese media estimate that at least 1,300 people were killed.
The blast came as plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) worked desperately to reduce pressures in the core of the reactor that -- if not contained -- could lead to a release of radiation into the atmosphere.
NHK television and Jiji said the outer structure of the building that houses the reactor appeared to have blown off, which could suggest the containment building had already been breached.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30293447
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