3 evacuees near Japan nuclear plant exposed to radiation

The three individuals evacuated via helicopter were reportedly showing no signs of illness from the radiation

Published March 12, 2011 6:09PM (EST)

A man and woman seek information about the safety of relatives at an evacuation center at Rikuzentakada, northeastern Japan, on Saturday March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)  MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING ALLOWED IN CHINA, HONG  KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE (AP)
A man and woman seek information about the safety of relatives at an evacuation center at Rikuzentakada, northeastern Japan, on Saturday March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING ALLOWED IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE (AP)

An official says three people being evacuated from an area near a quake-damaged Japanese nuclear plant have been exposed to radiation.

The Fukushima prefectural disaster official confirmed their exposure but said they showed no signs of illness.

A blast Saturday at the nuclear plant blew off the walls and roof.

Yoshinori Baba says the three were in a group of evacuees who had waited in a school yard to be picked up by a helicopter.

Officials say the plant has released some radiation because of a cooling problem since Friday's massive quake. They say residents are being evacuated from a 12-mile (20-kilometer) radius as a precaution.


By Yuri Kageyama

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By Eric Talmadge

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Earthquakes Japan Japan Earthquake Nuclear Power