Agency japanese nuclear crisis on par with Mile Island

Now Playing: Agency japanese nuclear crisis on par with Mile Island

Description: Get up-to-the-minute developments at CNN's live blog on the disaster in Japan. Tokyo (CNN) -- Japan's nuclear and industrial safety agency on Friday raised the level for the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant from a 4 to 5 -- putting it on par with the 1979 incident at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island. According to the International Nuclear Events Scale, a level 5 equates to the likelihood of a release of radioactive material, several deaths from radiation and severe damage to a reactor core. Chernobyl, for example, rated a 7 on the scale, while Japan's other nuclear crisis -- a 1999 accident at Tokaimura in which workers died after being exposed to radiation -- was a 4. In Pennsylvania, a partial meltdown of a reactor core was deemed the worst nuclear accident in US history. Lawmaker: Japan's government doesn't lie Nuclear watchdog under fire over Japan Gallery: Japan reeling after massive quake Explainer: Producing nuclear energy This development came as Japanese authorities under fire Friday from within and abroad over the lack of timely information on the unfolding nuclear situation as they battled for a second week to contain the crisis. People near the embattled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant are increasingly frustrated, not just with the prolonged fight to curb radioactive emissions, but also the lack of immediate information from authorities, a local government official said. "Evacuees, and that can be said of myself as well, are feeling anxious since ...
Tags: News japan japanese quake earthquake water nuclear agency crisis Added: 19-03-11 Views: (370)