TAGAJO, Japan (AP) — Japan warned of an alarming radiation leak from a stricken nuclear power plant and told people nearby to stay indoors to avoid becoming sick in a rapidly escalating national crisis following last week's earthquake and tsunami.
In a nationally televised statement, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation has spread from the three reactors of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in one of the hardest-hit provinces in Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.
A man holds his baby as they are prepared to be scanned for levels of radiation in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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"The level seems very high, and there is still a very high risk of more radiation coming out," Kan said.
He warned there are dangers of more leaks and told people living within 19 miles (30 kilometers) of the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex to stay indoors to avoid radiation sickness.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said a fourth reactor at the complex was on fire and more radiation had been released.
"Now we are talking about levels that can damage human health. These are readings taken near the area where we believe the releases are happening. Far away, the levels should be lower," he said.
The death toll from last week's earthquake and tsunami jumped Tuesday (Japan time) as police confirmed the number killed had topped 2,400, though that grim news was overshadowed by a deepening nuclear crisis. Officials have said previously that at least 10,000 people may have died in Miyagi province alone.
A man holds his baby as they are prepared to be scanned for levels of radiation in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
