Nuclear Meltdown

Japan announces new evacuation zone

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-22 09:47

TOKYO - Japanese government has ordered residents in some more areas between 20-km and 30-km ring of the crippled Fukushima No.1 nuke plant to evacuate due to accumulated radiation, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Friday.

Related readings:  Japan orders evacuation around plant  Japan declares evacuation area 'no-go' zone

He also said residents of more localities outside the 30-km radius should be prepared to evacuate in case of emergency.

Japan's evacuation directives escalated step by step as workers are still struggling to regain control of the crippled nuclear power plant after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern regions of Japan on March 11.

From Thursday midnight, the Japanese government also sealed off the 20-kilometer radius of the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant to prohibit unrestricted entry.