Third hydrogen explosion rocks stricken Japan reactor

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New hydrogen explosion rocks stricken Japan reactor

Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:27pm GMT

(Adds details, quotes)

TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - A fresh explosion rocked Japan's quake-stricken

nuclear power complex on Tuesday, around its overheating No.2 reactor, but there

was no immediate word of any damage to the reactor itself, the country's nuclear

safety agency said.

Jiji news agency quoted authorities as saying radiation levels around the

complex immediately after the blast, the third in as many days, were still

relatively low, but it added that some workers had been told to leave the plant.

Authorities at the Fukushima Daiichi complex, damaged in Friday's massive

earthquake and tsunami, are trying to prevent meltdowns in all three of the

plant's nuclear reactors.

" It was a hydrogen explosion. We are still assessing the cause and unsure

whether the explosion was caused by damage to the suppression chamber, " an

official at the safety agency told Reuters. He did not have any more details.

Twice before, there have been hydrogen explosions which have ripped off some

roofing from the plant, but these had not damaged the reactor vessels,

authorities have said. There was no immediate word on any damage from this third

blast. (Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro; Editing by Mark Bendeich)