(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-23 19:44

BEIJING  -- Nuclear technicians have found no signs of radiation leaks in nuclear facilities in southwest China's quake zone, but 15 radiation "sources" are still inaccessible, Vice Minister of Environmental Protection Wu Xiaoqing said Friday.

"We did not find any radioactive substance leaks into the environment," Wu told a press conference.

Expert teams sent by the ministry and local environment departments immediately after the quake had thoroughly examined all nuclear facilities in the province, he said.

As of Thursday noon, the experts had identified 50 radiation "sources" and had moved 35 to safe areas, while the locations of the rest had been identified, Wu said.

Three of the 15 remaining sources were buried under rubble while the other 12 were in dangerous buildings that technicians could not yet enter, he said.

"We have asked local government to inform us when they plan to clean the rubble."