Kashiwazaki, Japan
An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale rattled a nuclear power plant in northern Japan this week, causing leakage of radioactive water. Tokyo Electric Power officials said the earthquake caused fires and burst pipes in 50 separate areas, but they insisted the leakage posed no safety risk. Others are skeptical. Earthquake engineer Masanori Hamada said the plant should have been able to withstand such a quake undamaged. “It’s unthinkable that water leaks and fire could be triggered so easily,” Hamada said, calling for the company to provide “a full explanation to the public.” The earthquake caused widespread property damage, and left nine dead and more than 900 wounded.
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