Fear of nuclear catastrophe rises in Japan

In Japan, fear of a full-blown nuclear catastrophe rises after radiation levels surge at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, north of Tokyo.

A new fire at one of the plant’s reactors is believed to be the cause of the dangerous rise in radiation levels. Safety concerns forced emergency workers at the plant to withdraw on Wednesday, paralyzing efforts to cool down the overheating reactors.

Since last Friday’s earthquake and tsunami, Japan is trying desperately to avoid an environmental catastrophe, but radiation leaking into the air is making it difficult to control the disaster.

A plan for military helicopters to survey radiation above the crippled nuclear complex and dump water onto the site was deemed too risky.

Meanwhile, power outages are a looming threat in Japan, where the death toll is 3,676.

Foreign tourists and temporary residents afraid of the effects of nuclear radiation are attempting to book last-minute flights home.

Canada has no plans to evacuate Canadians from the disaster-stricken country.

8,000 people are still missing in Japan and 10,000 are expected dead.