Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactor in Japan suffers 2nd explosion

Monday, March 14th 2011, 9:36 AM

A second hydrogen explosion rocked a crippled Japanese nuclear reactor Monday, spewing a giant cloud of smoke into the air and injuring 11 workers, officials said.

The blast was so large it could be felt 25 miles away.

The plant's operator, however, insisted that radiation levels around the facility remained within legal limits.

A similar explosion was triggered Saturday at the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor after cooling systems were damaged by Friday's earthquake and tsunami.

Officials said a separate damaged reactor at the facility was also experiencing severe problems after its fuel rods became fully exposed, raising the risk of overheating and yet another explosion.

A state of emergency has been declared at six reactors where cooling systems and backup generators failed following Friday's twin disasters.