Update (12 March 2011, 12:30 GMT) - There has been a large explosion at the nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan. The BBC has video footage here. Our first concern remains for the safety of workers and the surrounding communities.


UPDATE (12 March 2011, 01:20 GMT) - The situation with nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan, looks extremely serious. Increased levels of radiation have been detected at the plant, including at the entrance gate. There are also reports about growing troubles with cooling of the reactors, which is also why the company plans to vent radioactive steam to relieve pressure at at least one reactor building.

Jan Beranek, Greenpeace International Head of Nuclear Campaign said in a statement:

“Releasing any amount of radiation into the atmosphere risks the health of people in the surrounding area. The fact that the Fukushima nuclear power plant is leaking, or has been forced to deliberately release, contaminated gases from the reactor into the atmosphere means that all of the physical protection that was supposed to isolate radioactivity from the environment has failed.”