High-level radiation prevents use of water hoses on Japan nuclear reactor - TV

MOSCOW. March 17. KAZINFORM High levels of radiation are preventing police from using water cannons to douse the overheated Fukushima-1 nuclear reactor in Japan, NHK TV said on Thursday. Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

There is no information on the exact level of radiation at the reactor. A water cannon was called in to hose down the Fukushima's ü3 reactor, which allegedly contains uranium and plutonium fuel.

A series of blasts and fires damaged four of Fukushima's six reactors after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan last week, sparking a powerful tsunami and killing thousands.

The death toll from the disaster has risen to 5,429 people and 9,594 are listed as missing, police said.

On Friday, helicopters will continue attempts to cool Fukushima's reactors with water, the Japanese news agency Kyodo said. Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru