Amsterdam, August 6, 2013 – Leaking radioactive water at the Fukushima nuclear power plant has now been declared an “emergency” by Japan’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority. In response, Dr. Rianne Teule, nuclear campaigner at Greenpeace International, said:
“The worsening leaks of contaminated water at the Fukushima nuclear plant prove TEPCO is incapable of dealing with the disaster. Japan’s authorities must now step in and ensure action is finally taken to stop the leaks.
“Concerns about contaminated water likely leaking into the ocean were voiced long ago by experts, but TEPCO anxiously hid the leaks. The leaks are an international environmental concern and a catastrophe for the local fishery community.
“There’s still a long road ahead before the Fukushima nuclear disaster is fully contained and the Japanese people continue to pay the price. It’s clear the industry in Japan or elsewhere is unable to cope with an accident like Fukushima, nor is it taking any responsibility. The only way to prevent a nuclear disaster is to abandon nuclear energy and rapidly shift towards renewables.”