Japan: new problems at third reactor; meltdown and "catastrophic release of radiation" feared

New York Times: "The risk of a meltdown spread to a third reactor at a stricken nuclear power plant in Japan on Monday as its cooling systems failed, exposing its fuel rods, only hours after a second explosion at a separate reactor blew the roof off a containment building." Related: in a press conference today, the head of the IAEA said it is "unlikely that the accident would develop" like Chernobyl, citing the design and structure of the nuclear plants. Cold comfort: just because the details are different doesn't mean the damage potential is any less.