Two people were killed, more than 600 were exposed to radiation, and 320,000 were evacuated from their homes after the accident in the Japanese city of Tokaimura. On September 30, 1999, a huge amount of radiation was emitted at an experimental nuclear fuel processing plant northeast of Tokyo. The reason is human error. Two technicians from the plant were killed on the spot.
The nuclear catastrophe is ranked fourth on the scale of the Naval Strategic Nuclear Forces (ISAF), but is considered to be the worst after Chernobyl.
Today, 20 years after the Tokaimura accident, the construction of nuclear power plants is still on the agenda of a number of governments, including the Bulgarian government. At the same time, no one gives a meaningful answer to the question – what do we do with the waste from NPP operation – the nuclear fuel used. The Tokaimura nuclear catastrophe is the result of attempts to recycle this waste.
See another reason why we should not build a nuclear power plant.
Translator: Valentina Vagge
