Fukushima Nuclear Plant

I'm not sure if you guys have been following whats been going on in japan concerning the Fukushima Nuclear Plant or if you understand what's going on. I know I didn't really have a good handle on it until I did some research on it.
This is a copy paste of what information I have amassed, its pretty much the TL;DR version for those who can't be $#@!ed looking around.




Cooling failures occurred in Fukushima Nuclear power stations oldest reactor just over a day ago, the diesel generators meant to keep coolant flowing through the reactor failed an hour after coming online resulting in an increase in pressure.


The electrical systems rely on batteries when a power outage occurs and are good for 8 hours so the Japanese military (note they call them defense forces) has been trucking in generators and batteries.


At 07:36 GMT on March 12th a large explosion caused the concrete structure surrounding the reactor to collapse.


It was a hydrogen explosion which was a result of water levels in the reactor falling.


The Japanese government maintains that the situation is under control but they moved their initial evacuation of the area from 3kms to 10kms rather quickly, and then last night increased it to 20kms, and they are stopping anyone from entering the area 60kms from the plant (BBC got stopped there)


As of last night  people had been evacuated from the area


The four workers injured during the blast are conscious and their injuries are described as non life threatening, 30 employees and 60 patients were evacuated from the immediate area, three received a check up for radiation exposure, two had minor exposure and one had received a decent dose of radiation, they are being decontaminated but there are fears they may have contaminated the others during the evacuation.


Worthy of note, the reactor in question was constructed in 1967, first criticality was in 1970 and it was due to be decommissioned March 26th this month :|


According to the World Nuclear Association (note: who apparently have a reputation for talking $#@!) one worker in a crane by the stack has died :(