’Situation’s very grave’

Says Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan, as officials suspect another breach in reactor at the nuclear plant

'Situation's very grave'

Says Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan, as officials suspect another breach in reactor at the nuclear plant

A suspected breach in the core of a reactor at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant could mean more serious radioactive contamination, Japanese officials revealed yesterday, as the prime minister called the country's ongoing fight to stabilise the plant "very grave and serious." A somber Prime Minister Naoto Kan sounded a pessimistic note at a briefing hours after nuclear safety officials announced what could be a major setback in the urgent mission to stop the plant from leaking radiation, two weeks after a devastating earthquake and tsunami disabled it.

Salvaging the past: People clear the debris and try to collect their
belongings after the quake destroyed their homes and businesses.
Pic/AFP

"The situation at the Fukushima Daiichi 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 trying feverishly to stop the overheated plant from leaking dangerous radiation. The plant has leaked some low levels of radiation, but a breach could mean a much larger release of contaminants.

Suspicions of a possible breach were raised when two workers waded into water 10,000 times more radioactive than levels normally found in water in or around a reactor and suffered skin burns, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.

'Am sorry'
Kan apologised 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.

He also thanked utility workers, firefighters and military personnel for "risking their lives" to cool the overheated facility. Police said the official death toll jumped past 10,000 yesterday. With the cleanup and recovery operations continuing and more than 17,400 listed as missing, the final number of dead was expected to surpass 18,000.

Resilient residents
However, there were examples of resilience, patience and fortitude across the region. In Soma, rubble covered the block where Hiroshi Suzuki's home once stood. "I never expected to have to live through anything like this," he said mournfully. "My business is gone. I don't think I will ever be able to recover," said Suzuki. Still, he managed to find a bright side. "The one good thing is the way everyone is pulling together and helping each other. No one is stealing or looting," he said. "It makes me feel proud to be Japanese."

Donation scam
The Red Cross has warned prospective donors who want to give money to the Japan Tsunami Appeal to beware scam e-mails purporting to be from the charity. A spokesman for the charity said: "There are some fraudulent e-mails circulating claiming to be raising money for the Japan Tsunami Appeal. These may request that you donate through companies like Western Union or Money Bookers, which we would never do. If you suspect an e-mail is fraudulent please do notu00a0 click on any links.

2,50,000 Number of people left homeless

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