I just watched the 7 pm (Japan time) news, broadcast an hour ago. In the middle of the broadcast they announced that the pump in #2 reactor had failed, and the entire reactor core was out of the water. "We cannot deny it is likely the core melted," officials said.
They are pumping sea water into it, with considerable difficulty. An hour later they report it is half full. The large tsunami reported last night turned out to a figment of the imagination of an Army helicopter pilot. After NHK spent 15 minutes issuing warnings, they cut over to an exasperated expert from the Meteorological Agency who said "there is no way the recent 6 magnitude earthquake could have produced a tsunami. Even if it did, the height would be several centimeters and it would have already reached the shore." Then they cut over to an official from reactor safety division who was in a hallway crowded with reporters and who was in a genuine panic. This was soon after the explosion at #3. He was practically yelling, "people in the area need to go indoors right away, close the doors, and cover their mouths!" But there is no danger, the agency insists. Keep moving folks, nothing to see here. Meanwhile the U.S. carrier Ronald Reagon is moving away from the area because they detect airborne radioactive dust. This is like a fifth-rate thriller movie. - Jed
