Japan's TEPCO apologizes for massive radiation spike

Tokyo, Mar.28 (ANI): The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) officials have apologized for the huge spike in radiation levels at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, saying it was a mistake.

Emergency workers struggling to pump contaminated water from Japan's stricken nuclear complex fled from one of the troubled reactors after a huge increase in radioactivity was reported. Later the officials said that the readings were inaccurate.

The radiation readings showed water testing at 10 million times higher than normal in the reactor's cooling system. Officials said they were so high that the worker taking the measurements had withdrawn before taking a second reading.

Later the plant operators said while the water was contaminated with radiation, the extremely high reading was a mistake.

"The number is not credible", "We are very sorry." The China Daily quoted TEPCO spokesman Takashi Kurita, as saying.

He said officials were taking another sample to get accurate levels, but did not know when the results would be announced.

The situation came as officials acknowledged there was radioactive water in all four of the Fukushima Daiichi complex's most troubled reactors, and as airborne radiation in No 2 reactor measured 1,000 millisieverts per hour, four times the allowed limit.

Officials said that they still unsure where the radioactive water is coming from.

Two of the plant's six reactors are now seen as safe but the other four are volatile, occasionally emitting steam and smoke.

Tokyo Electric Power Co engineers have been working to stabilize the nuclear plant that was crippled by massive quake and tsunami.

The operation has been suspended many times due to explosions and spiking radiation levels inside the reactors. (ANI)