The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 01, 1999, Image 12

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Page 12 • Friday. October 1, J999
w
ORLD
Uranium spill injures thi
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TOKA1MURA, Japan (AP) — Nuclear officials
scrambled today to find a way to stop an uncon
trolled nuclear reaction at a uranium processing
plant, which seriously injured three workers and
possibly contaminated dozens.
More than 310,000 people within six miles of
the plant were ordered today to stay in their
homes. The facility, which refines uranium so it
can be used to fuel nuclear power plants, is lo
cated in Tokaimura, a town of 33,000 people 7q
miles northeast of Tokyo.
Government officials said yesterday’s accident
spewed a gas containing alpha, beta and gamma
radiation into the atmosphere, forcing the evacu
ation of 150 neighbors of the plant. The plant was
not designed to block the escape of radiation,
company officials said.
Two of the three injured workers were in
critical condition from the radiation, estimat
ed at about 4,000 times the level considered
safe for a person to receive in a year, said hos
pital official Yukio Kamakura. Never before
has a nuclear accident in Japan caused such
serious injuries.
A team was removing water from the cooling
equipment around the tank early today in hopes
that it would suppress further nuclear fission, Sci-
/
Milo
Tokaimura
Koga
People confined
to their homes
due to radiation
Tokyo
O -
Choshi
fokyo
Wan
Pacific
Ocean
Sagami
Nada
25 miles
5 km
:ial
AP
Eiichiro
ence and Technology Agency
Watanabe said.
Nuclear tission happens when neutrons hit
uranium, causing atoms to split, releasing huge
amounts of energy. It is the principle behind the
atomic bomb. Water stimulate fontlay
spurring along the reaction.
At least 34 workers other than tit
being examined for possible com
nichi Takahashi, an official vvithJC;
company that runs the plant, said:
by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.,o
largest business groups.
Five residents were exposed tob
cal official said on condition of ants
“This is something that Japanh;
rienced,” government spokesman!!
ka sail! late Thursday. The radiatior
the plant does not pose a signiftcam
the nuclear reaction were tocontir
time, he added.
Radioactivity levels — atone
times above normal at the plant-re~
several hours after the accident. AfcM
ficial government reading was rete®
state officials said radiation levelsuyB
times above normal 1.25 miles frorB
Maj
or
»m,
m.
motorist*
possib
?a. Kyc:
a;
highwa
)ads had
to pass
!e. TYain
ys into town ■. PTi •>
electronic bill!’ ssaultii
through the a: r oss th
-ervicesweresieTR., iii
service reportt nee m«
day*
Explore your World!
Earthquake rattles Mexico’s Pacific co
. . K
(
MSC MAIN tIALL
Tuesday, October 3
(10:00 - 2:00
Study Abroad Programs
Ijb 161 Bizzell Hall West
845-0544
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A strong
earthquake along the Pacific coast
rattled much of Mexico on yesterday
day, killing at least 10 people and
damaging hundreds of buildings.
The U.S. Geological Survey in
Golden, Colo., said the magnitude-
7.5 quake was centered between
the Pacific resorts of Huatulco and
Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca state,
280 miles south of Mexico City.
“It was very intense. There was
panic because we haven’t ever felt
anything of this magnitude,” said
Norma Alquitra, a spokesperson
for Puerto Escondido.
Fifteen buildings were damaged
in the city of 18,000 people, and one
person was killed by falling debris.
Huatulco’s mayor reported only mi
nor damage and “normal panic.”
At least nine people died else
where in the state, according to the
state government.
It stands for pride, tradition, and a commitment to
excellence. It is the cornerstone of friendships and business
deals. It is symbolic of “The Aggie Network."
That's why when your Association of Former Students
decided to enhance our approach to the future, we selected
a symbol that represents what we are all about.
lA/e'O/tesTlte'Aggie,
sociatiori
OF FORMER STUDENTS
505 GEORGE BUSH DRIVE, COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840-2918 (409)845-7514
www.aggienetwork.com
In the state capital of Oaxaca City,
two people huddling in a doorway
were killed when it collapsed, and
two more died under falling debris
while fleeing a building.
State officials said four people
were killed by collapsing build
ings in rural communities. No-
timex, the government news
agency, reported a 12-year-old girl
suffered a heart attack and died
because of the quake.
The Oaxaca governor’s office
said about 20 people were hospi-
(a/ized with injuries suffered in
the quake.
The force and unusual length of
the quake, which struck at 11:31
a.m. (12:3i p.m. EOT) and lasted
several minutes, terrified people
hundreds of miles from the epicen
ter. It was felt as far south as
Guatemala and very strongly in
Mexico City to the north.
Pacific
Ocean