A new earthquake measuring 6 has been reported at Fukushima in Japan, site of an earlier explosion at a nuclear power plant. The reports from Japanese TV said it happened at 10.15 in the evening local time. There are no details of the impact.
Earlier the Japanese government played down fears of disaster after the blast at the nuclear plant.
But a senior government official has said damage to the reactor is unlikely and radiation levels have dropped.
The authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents in an area 20 kilometres around the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
People in a wider area were told to stay indoors and close windows.
Four workers were slightly injured in the blast and taken to hospital.
There had been fears of a possible meltdown at the plant after cooling systems failed. Radiation was said to have risen many times usual levels.
An emergency had already been declared at both Fukushima nuclear plants. There were reports that
radioactive steam was released into the atmosphere.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog the IAEA has been seeking urgent reports from the Japanese authorities.
Earlier the Japanese government played down fears of disaster after the blast at the nuclear plant.
But a senior government official has said damage to the reactor is unlikely and radiation levels have dropped.
The authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents in an area 20 kilometres around the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
People in a wider area were told to stay indoors and close windows.
Four workers were slightly injured in the blast and taken to hospital.
There had been fears of a possible meltdown at the plant after cooling systems failed. Radiation was said to have risen many times usual levels.
An emergency had already been declared at both Fukushima nuclear plants. There were reports that
radioactive steam was released into the atmosphere.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog the IAEA has been seeking urgent reports from the Japanese authorities.
