Japan: Concerns About Condition Of Spent Nuclear Fuel Pool

Japanese authorities have reported concerns about the condition of the spent nuclear fuel pool at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 and Unit 4, the IAEA said.

Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa announced Wednesday that Special Defence Forces helicopters planned to drop water onto Unit 3, and officials are also preparing to spray water into Unit 4 from ground positions, and possibly later into Unit 3.

Some debris on the ground from the 14 March explosion at Unit 3 may need to be removed before the spraying can begin, the IAEA noted.

Earlier Wednesday, Japanese authorities informed the IAEA that a fire in the reactor building of Unit 4 of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was visually observed at 20:45 UTC of 15 March. However, as of 21:15 UTC of the same day, the fire could no longer be observed.