EDITORIAL : THE DAILY STAR, BANGLADESH

Japan's nuclear tragedy

We are deeply shocked

Japan is now fighting its worst ever crisis after the Second World War. On top of human tragedy caused by the earthquake and tsunami, the danger that is yet unfolding is coming from the badly damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in north-eastern Japan.

We have already expressed our deep sympathy for the quake-and-tsunami-stricken people of Japan. We now join the international community in voicing concern for Japan's nuclear accident-induced predicament.

The earthquake and tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plan is now at the centre of global concern. The seriously affected buildings that contain nuclear reactors and pools of spent fuel rods are emitting radiation. It is being feared that cores of four out of six reactors have been damaged by earthquake. Two of the reactors appear to be the cause of greatest concern. Efforts are on to cool down the heated up reactor cores and fuel rods by spraying water from helicopters and water canons. The operator of the nuclear facility, Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), is trying to repair and restart the backup power generators of the affected units. It is being strongly believed that power dislocation at the quake-hit plant is the cause of damage to reactor core's cooling system.

However, the temperature and radiation levels in the nuclear plant's immediate vicinity are still not very alarming. The latest estimate by the Japanese authorities indicates that the accident level at the nuclear plant is two points below the highest at seven fixed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Experts are of the view that if the attempts at cooling down the damaged reactor cores and spent fuel pools do not succeed within the next 48 hours, things may spin out of control.

Japan has sought international assistance in effectively fighting the present crisis. The US, France, the IAEA and others with adequate know-how to handle such type of nuclear disaster have responded eagerly. We urge all-out international assistance for Japan to tide over the crisis.

It is hoped that the Japan nuclear disaster should be a warning for all. Bangladesh, now seeking nuclear option for power, needs also to be on guard.