Images taken deep inside melted Fukushima reactor show damage, but leave many questions unanswered
Miniature drones capture images from deep inside Fukushima reactor, revealing challenges of decommissioning.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Miniature drones have captured images from deep inside a damaged reactor at the Fukushima nuclear plant, showing displaced control equipment and misshapen materials. The photos, released by the plant’s operator, highlight the challenges of decommissioning the plant. Despite the insight provided, many questions remain unanswered. Attempts to reach the area in the past had failed due to technical limitations. The drones’ findings reveal dangling brown objects of various shapes and sizes, potentially melted fuel or equipment. The need for further data, such as radiation levels, complicates analysis. With around 880 tons of radioactive melted fuel still present, understanding its location and condition is crucial for safe removal and decommissioning. The lack of clarity within the reactors underscores the complexity of the cleanup process, which critics argue may exceed the optimistic 30-40 year timeframe set by authorities.