A news footage by Japanese public broadcaster NHK on March 14, 2011 shows the moment of a hydrogen explosion at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station number three reactor on March 14, 2011. An explosion shook a quake-damaged Japanese nuclear power plant on March 14 and plumes of smoke rose from the building. -- PHOTO: AFP
PARIS - JAPAN'S nuclear safety agency said there is 'absolutely no possibility of a Chernobyl' style accident at the Fukushima No. 1 plant, the national strategy minister said on Monday, as quoted by Jiji Press.
The minister, Koichiro Genba, made the comment citing the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency at a meeting of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
Meanwhile, France's industry minister said the risk of meltdown at a Japanese nuclear plant stricken by a huge earthquake was 'worrying' and a nuclear disaster could not be ruled out.
'The situation is worrying,' minister Eric Besson said on France Inter radio. 'It is a serious nuclear accident since there have been radioactive leaks.'
'It is not yet a catastrophe,' he said, but added: 'We absolutely cannot rule that out.' A new explosion hit the ageing Fukushima plant on Monday after the cooling systems were knocked out by Friday's 8.9-magnitude quake and the resulting tsunami.
A first explosion blew apart the building surrounding the plant's number-one reactor on Saturday but the seal around the reactor itself remained intact, officials said. On Monday a blast struck its number-three reactor. -- AFP
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