Mars 2011 / The Yomiuri Shimbun

2nd reactor hit by blasts / TEPCO official hints meltdown may be under way

Explosions hit the No. 3 reactor of Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s quake-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant at about 11 a.m. Monday, injuring 11 plant workers and Self-Defense Forces personnel, the company said.

Though TEPCO said the reactor containment and pressure vessels were not damaged, a senior official of the firm hinted at the possibility that the reactor may be melting down.

Two blasts were heard, TEPCO officials said. Fire and huge plumes of smoke were seen coming out of the (…)