Nuclear plants near Japan quake safely shut
The IAEA, the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog, said it was seeking more information on which countries and nuclear facilities might be at risk from the tsunami unleashed by the quake.
"The four Japanese nuclear power plants closest to the quake have been safely shut down," the agency said in a statement, adding it was liaising with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on further details of the situation.
"The agency has sent an offer of good offices to Japan, should the country request support," the statement added.
Japanese media said the government had decided to declare a nuclear power emergency situation, which occurs if there is confirmation of radioactivity leaks from a nuclear power plant or a reactor cooling system breaks down; Kazinform cites China Daily.
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