TEPCO finds new radioactive leaks in stricken plant

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the operator of the crisis hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, officially announced about 8 tonnes of radioactive water leaking from broken pipes was found inside the reactor building yesterday.

The leaking point was found on the first floor in the No. 4 reactor building by the staff Tuesday night. About 10 minutes later the leak was stopped by closing a valve. TEPCO determined the water was from the reactor by measuring the radioactive level.

TEPCO admitted on Monday that there are 14 leaking points at the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant's facilities, leading the operator to suspend the cooling of the spent fuel pool at its No. 4 reactor for two hours. But TEPCO said it is believed that the radioactive water did not flow into the ocean.

Experts said the incident is not a big setback to getting the plant under control but the timing is awkward for the government as it strives to win public acceptance for the restart of reactors elsewhere to avoid a summer power crunch.