The fifty brave workers that were left to defend reactor #4 are being evacuated according to a report just out on the Ed Show. This is a breaking story and is developing as I type this. This according to news reports would leave the facility unmanned. This is certainly a turning point in the catastrophe that is unfolding there. I am throwing this up for discussion and will try to get back and add to this snippet of a diary as more information is known. My apologies for the brevity of this diary.
Updated by mikeypaw at Tue Mar 15, 2011 at 10:12 PM CDT
I am listening to Robert Bazell and he is saying that they only were pulled out for a short while. Apparently there was a large spike in radiation and there is a fear of a breach in the containment vessel. The chyron on MSNBC reads Workers at Fukishima Temorarily Suspend Activity.
Updated by mikeypaw at Tue Mar 15, 2011 at 10:28 PM CDT
I have to admit that it is really hard to make sense of what is being reported at this time. From what I now gather this is a "temporary suspension of activity" Also there is a fire at reactor #4 as well. Apparently the earlier fire at #4 led to the radiation release. I would like to see a really clear time line of the events there but I have not seen it as of yet.
Updated by mikeypaw at Tue Mar 15, 2011 at 10:37 PM CDT
Updated Title to more accurately reflect the situation. Thanks to those in the comments that suggested that I update the title. You were right.
Updated by mikeypaw at Tue Mar 15, 2011 at 11:45 PM CDT
Here is a picture of the reactor...
Tokyo Electric Power, via Kyodo News, via Associated Press