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'Heroes' battle to save meltdown

By MSN NZ
09:30 AEST Wed Mar 16 2011
Jane Mary Bishop
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Brave workers are working tirelessly around the clock to douse three stricken reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant with sea water to avoid a nuclear disaster.

About 50 nuclear workers, dubbed the "Fukushima 50", are trying to have remained at the nuclear plant to try and avoid possible meltdowns.

The workers are wearing protective clothing there will still be negative effects to their health as a result of the radiation levels, experts have said.

Authorities are also contemplating using water-dropping helicopters as the crisis at the aging Fukushima nuclear plant has deepened AFP reports.

Worsening levels of radiation have already forced the company to pull out most of its hundreds of workers who have been battling the emergency since Friday's quake and tsunami.

Tens of thousands of people in the surrounding 20km of the plant have already fled on government orders to clear the area.

PHOTOS: Japan in chaos after quake, tsunami
PHOTOS: Villages wiped away in Miyagi
PHOTOS: Port city flattened by tsunami
READ MORE: More than 2000 bodies found washed up in Miyagi prefecture
READ MORE: Hydrogen explosion at nuclear power plant in Japan
READ MORE: Death toll will top 10,000
READ MORE: Man found clinging to roof 15km out to sea
READ MORE: Quake to cost Japan $47b, much more with tsunami
VIDEO: Boats smashed by Tsunami waves
VIDEO: Roads split in half by earthquake

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