"French Nuclear Power Plant Explosion Heightens Safety Fears"

"An explosion sparked a fire at a French nuclear power station on Saturday, just two days after the authorities found 32 safety concerns at the plant.

The blaze at the Tricastin plant in Drôme in the Rhône valley sent a thick cloud of black smoke into the sky. A mistral wind sent it south over a nearby motorway on one of the busiest travel days of the year as the French left for their summer holidays.

EDF, which runs the power station, said the incident took place in an electric transformer situated in the non-nuclear part of the plant and had not resulted in any radiation leak or any other contamination. A statement issued by the energy giant raised further concerns as it omitted to mention the explosion – only a fire – and did not give the cause of the blaze."

Kim Willsher reports for the Guardian July 4, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"What Went Wrong In Fukushima: The Human Factor" (NPR)

"A Safer Nuclear Crypt" (New York Times)

"Japan Eyes First Nuclear Restart Since Quake" (Reuters)

"Japan Government Orders New ‘Stress Tests’ on  Nuke Plants in Bid To Ease Public Anxiety" (AP)