Thirteen years after the catastrophe at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant – the catastrophe celebrated its anniversary on Monday – operating company TEPCO is still busy salvaging the melted fuel rods. To gain an overview, a drone was recently sent into the reactor ruins (see video above).
Only recently was it possible to get into one of the damaged reactor blocks of the damaged nuclear power plant with a mini drone the size of a palm. The recordings made (see video above) are intended to help investigate the fuel residue to be recovered.
According to the AP news agency, there are four drones with the same design that are about the size of a palm and each weigh only 185 grams. They would be extremely manoeuvrable, but would hardly kick up dust during flight. They are equipped with a high-resolution camera that transmits live images to the TEPCO operations center.
As a reminder, in 2011, a strong earthquake and resulting tsunami led to the explosion of four reactors at the inadequately secured Fukushima nuclear power plant. In three of them, nuclear meltdowns occurred and approximately 880 tons of fuel rods melted through the reactor pressure vessels and solidified into highly radioactive lumps. The actual clean-up work has not yet started…
100,000 liters of radioactively contaminated water every day
To cool the meltdown, the Fukushima nuclear power plant produces about 100,000 liters of radioactive water every day. Since last year, operating company TEPCO has been allowed to discharge water contaminated with tritium (a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, note) into the sea. This is happening against the protests of environmentalists around the world.
A catastrophe causes enormous follow-up costs
The Japanese government estimates the cost of the reactor accident at 223 billion dollars (213 billion euros). However, there are also other calculations, such as those by the Japan Center for Economic Research, that assume costs between 500 and 600 billion dollars (457 or 548 billion euros). There are also independent estimates that even speak of follow-up costs of more than 719 million dollars (657 billion euros).
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
