'Worst-case scenario: Fukushima fuel pool with plutonium catches fire'

RussiaToday on Apr 13, 2011
Engineers at Japan's struggling Fukushima nuclear plant have resumed efforts to remove built-up radioactive water. It comes after a powerful aftershock forced crews to flee the area. On Tuesday Japan raised the nuclear alert around the facility to the maximum level of seven. This puts the crisis on a par with the Chernobyl disaster. The decision was based on new data showing more radiation had leaked from the damaged plant than previously thought. But officials say that the upgrade does not mean the situation has become more critical. Meanwhile, attempts to restore cooling systems at the reactors appear to be no closer to success. Nuclear engineer, Arnold Gundersen, believes the Japanese government has downplayed the extent of the disaster.