Radioactive water leaks from nuclear plant

Updated 17 minutes ago

Radioactive water is leaking into the sea from a 30-centimetre crack in a containment pit at Japan's quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) says.

The crack under reactor 2 may be the source of recent radiation in coastal waters, Tepco officials said.

Tepco is preparing to pour concrete into the pit to try to stop the leak reports the BBC.

PM visits tsunami area

Japanese PM Naoto Kan has been visiting the area of north-eastern Japan worst affected by the tsunami, arriving in a town where more than 2000 are listed as dead or missing.

He flew into Rikuzentakata on a military helicopter from Tokyo, stopping over in nearby Fukushima prefecture, in a show of support for emergency crews risking their lives to prevent meltdown at a nuclear plant.

Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan (right) inspects a tsunami destroyed city hall in Rikuzentakata city.

PHOTO: AFP

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In Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture, 400km northeast of Tokyo, around 1000 people are confirmed dead and 1300 are still missing as rescue work enters its fourth week after the 11 March disaster.

Mr Kan has warned of a long-term battle at Fukushima where damaged reactors are leaking high levels of radiation.

Meanwhile, in the northeast of the country, thousands of military personnel are involved in an intensive search for the remains of victims from last month's earthquake and tsunami that left 28,000 people dead or missing.

www.radionz.co.nz

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