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Water Leaks Into Chernobyl Plant
Water Leaks Into Chernobyl Plant
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - A large amount of water has leaked into the
sarcophagus covering a reactor destroyed in the 1986 explosion at
Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, but radiation levels in the
water flowing out of the structure are normal, officials said Monday.
Water has seeped into the giant sarcophagus since it was built, but
more than twice as much leaked inside last month following heavy
rains. As a result, water for the first time entered nine rooms,
officials monitoring the sarcophagus said in a statement.
Radioactivity levels in the water coming out of the shelter were
still at permitted levels, the statement said.
The sarcophagus was hastily constructed to cover the reactor that
exploded and caught fire in 1986, spewing a giant radioactive cloud
over parts of Europe in the world's worst nuclear disaster.
With the help of foreign funds, Ukraine is trying to make the
structure environmentally safe. It is believed to contain tons of
radioactive fuel and dust.
Only one of Chernobyl's four reactors is still operational. Due to
international pressure, Ukraine has promised to shut down the plant
for good in December.
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