Reactors 1-4 at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will be decommissioned, according to plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Considering that those four reactors are likely beyond repair, that comes as no surprise.
The reactors and other equipment were badly damaged by the March 11, 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the following tsunami.
Most of the initial damage was done by the huge tsunami which swept the Daiichi plant as well as much of the north-eastern coast of the island of Honshu, leaving tens of thousands dead or missing.
Following the earthquake and tsunami, TEPCO has continually faced setbacks, including partial meltdowns, while trying to contain leaking radiation and limit the damage to the four worst-hit reactors and the surrounding environment.
Meanwhile, no decision has been made on the fate of the remaining reactors, #5 and #6. |
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