E-Paper
Water leaks from crippled Japanese N-plant
The operator of Japan's crippled nuclear power plant says that about 45 tons of highly radioactive water leaked from a purification device over the weekend, and some may have drained into the ocean.
The operator of Japan's crippled nuclear power plant says that about 45 tons of highly radioactive water leaked from a purification device over the weekend, and some may have drained into the ocean.
The leak comes as Tokyo Electric Power Co. aims to bring the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi plant to a cold shutdown by year-end.
A pool of radioactive water was discovered midday Sunday around a decontamination device, TEPCO said in a statement. After the equipment was turned off, the leak appeared to stop.
Later, workers found a crack in a concrete barrier leaking the contaminated water into a gutter that leads to the ocean. TEPCO estimates that about 300 liters leaked out before it was blocked with sandbags.
Officials were checking whether any water had reached the ocean.
