"Tepco Confirms Meltdowns at 2 More Fukushima Reactors"

"TOKYO -- The operator of the nuclear power plant at the center of a radiation scare after being disabled by Japan's earthquake and tsunami confirmed Tuesday that there had been meltdowns of fuel rods at three of its reactors.

Tokyo Electric Power Co said meltdowns of fuel rods at three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant occurred early in the crisis triggered by the March 11 disaster.

The government and outside experts had said previously that fuel rods at three of the plant's six reactors had likely melted early in the crisis, but the utility, also known as Tepco, had only confirmed a meltdown at the No.1 reactor.

Tepco officials said a review since early May of data from the plant concluded the same happened to reactors No.2 and 3."

Shinichi Saoshiro reports for Reuters May 24, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Tanks for Radioactive Water Nearly Full at Fukushima Plant" (Voice of America)

"UN Safety Agency Begins Probe Into Fukushima Meltdowns" (Reuters)

"TEPCO Says Fukushima Plant Suffered No Major Damage From Quake" (Mainichi Daily News)

"IAEA Lead Inspector: Too Early To Say If Quake, Not Tsunami, Caused Nuclear Crisis" (Wall St. Journal)

"Japan City Grapples With Nuclear Doubts After Fukushima" (Reuters)

"Leak From Japan Reactor 100 Times More Than Permitted" (Reuters)

"Japan Raises Permissible Radiation Levels for Children" (Australian ABC)

"Parents From Fukushima Protest Upper Limit for Children's Exposure To Radiation" (Mainichi Daily News)

"Establishment of New Organization To End Troubles at Fukushima I NPS" (Denki Shimbun)