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For several hours we’ve been hearing reports suggesting that one or more additional nuclear facilities in Japan were experiencing difficulties in the wake of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off Honshu Island roughly 18 hours ago.
Now, the Associated Press is reporting a total of 5 reactors declaring emergencies at two different nuclear facilities.
Japan quake causes emergencies at 5 nuke reactors
By MARI YAMAGUCHI and JEFF DONN
Associated PressTOKYO (AP) -- Japan declared states of emergency for five nuclear reactors at two power plants after the units lost cooling ability in the aftermath of Friday's powerful earthquake. Thousands of residents were evacuated as workers struggled to get the reactors under control to prevent meltdowns.
A single reactor in northeastern Japan had been the focus of much of the concern in the initial hours after the 8.9 magnitude quake, but the government declared new states of emergency at four other reactors in the area Saturday morning.
Additional evacuations have been ordered - potentially affecting tens of thousands of residents in and around these nuclear plants.
For earlier reports on these nuclear power plant concerns see:
Racing The Clock To Cool A Reactor
Report: Radiation Levels Rising Inside Fukushima Nuke Plant
Japan: Evacuation Order For Those Within 3km Of Damaged Nuke Plant
