Nuclear Crisis Will Force Tens of Thousands to Remain in Shelters For Months

Tens of thousands of people whose homes are in the evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant will likely be forced to remain in shelters for months, Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Friday.  Edano said the power plant must be stabilized and made safe before evacuees can return to their homes.

"The evacuation period is going to be longer than we wanted it to be. We first need to regain control of the nuclear power plant,” he said.

Fukushima employees continue to work around the clock to cool nuclear reactors. The situation appears to be getting worse as radiation levels continue to rise.

Meanwhile, the National Police Agency put the official death toll in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami at 11,620 on Friday. The agency said 16,464 people remain missing.

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