Blast rocks stricken Japanese N-reactor, vessel intact

A new explosion rocked Japan’s stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex on Monday, sending a plume of smoke into the air. Japan’s nuclear safety agency said it could not confirm whether or not the hydrogen explosion at the plant’s No.3 reactor had led to an uncontrolled leak of radioactivity.

However, the blast did not damaged the plant’s No.3 reactor vessel, news agency Jiji said, quoting the plant’s owner, Tokyo Electric Power Co.

Operators had earlier halted injection of sea water into the reactor, resulting in a rise in radiation levels and pressure.

The government had warned that an explosion was possible because of the buildup of hydrogen in the building housing the reactor.

Bad news but it could have been worse.