Super Typhoon Haitang to make landfall in Taiwan

Super Typhoon Haitang is now making landfall in Taiwan. Yesterday, Haitang was a Category 5 typhoon, with winds at 160 mph (257 km/h) and gusts up to 195 mph (317 km/h), and is currently moving west-northwest at 14 knots (16 mph, 26 km/h). As of 12:00 GMT on July 16, Haitang was located at 20.7° N, 127.7° E.

Current Wind speeds are 140 mph, with gusts up to 165 mph , the typhoon is moving northwest at 13 mph.

The Taiwan central weather bureau is expected to issue a sea warning later today and possibly a land warning tomorrow.


台風第5号、石垣島の南東から接近

気象庁沖縄気象台によると、大型で猛烈な台風第5号（国際名称・ハイタン）が、17日午前0時現在、石垣島の南東約480kmにあり、西に進んでいる。18日午前0時頃には台湾に達する見込み。中心気圧は915hPa、中心付近の最大風速は毎秒55m。沖縄気象台では24時間以内に竹富町が暴風圏内にはいる見込みは93%とし、沖縄県の地域ごとに波浪警報、雷強風注意報などを出し、注意を呼びかけている。

台風第5号は7月12日に発生、沖縄気象台はこれまでに石垣島、宮古島、八重山列島などが、暴風圏内に入ると予想し、警戒を呼びかけている。


Suspected poisonous gas found in New York

At least six to eight vials containing a reportedly poisonous gas were found at a United Nations (U.N.) office in New York, according to reports released today. The vials were potentially hazardous and reportedly came from a chemical plant in Iraq.

U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe assured the public they were not in danger saying, "There is no immediate risk or danger." However, the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) building was evacuated, according to federal authorities.

The recovered gas was believed to be phosgene, which is used to make pesticides and plastics. The gas can be hazardous at room temperature, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.). The gas was used frequently throughout World War I.

The gas was brought to the U.S. from a chemical weapons plant north of Baghdad in 1996.

Ewen Buchanan, a UNMOVIC spokesman, said the phosgene gas was in liquid form, "ranging in size from small vials to tubes the length of a pen," she said.

Jerry Hauer, former New York City emergency services director, told ABC News that "If it is properly sealed, it should not pose much of a threat unless it is dropped" and "They need to get it out of there and put it in a safe canister...It shows immense stupidity to have that kind of thing sitting around as a souvenir."

No toxic vapors were found in the air and no one was injured. FBI agents, WMD teams, as well as hazmat units were all reporting to the scene.


Encuentran gas tóxico en edificio de la ONU en Nueva York

30 de agosto de 2007Nueva York, Estados Unidos — De acuerdo con los reportes oficiales, al menos seis a ocho frascos que contienen un gas tóxico fueron encontrados en la oficina de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). Los frascos son potencialmente peligrosos y provienen de una planta química en Iraq.

El portavoz de la ONU Marie Okabe aseguró públicamente que no se encontraban en peligro, diciendo que "no hay un riesgo o peligro inmediato". Sin embargo el edificio de la Comisión de las Naciones Unidas de Vigilancia, Verificación e Inspección (UNMOVIC) fue evacuado, de acuerdo con las autoridades federales.

Se cree que el gas incautado es Fosgeno, el cual es usado para elaborar pesticidas y plásticos. De acuerdo con el Centro para el Control de Desastres y Prevención (CDC), el gas puede ser peligroso a temperatura ambiente. Este gas fue frecuentemente utilizado durante la Primera Guerra Mundial.

El gas fue comprado en una planta de armas químicas ubicada al norte de Bagdad en 1996.

Ewen Buchanan, vocero de UNMOVIC, dijo que el gas fosgeno estaba en forma líquida "en pequeños frascos ordenados por tamaños y tubos del tamaño de un lápiz".

Jerry Hauer, antiguo Director de Servicios de emergencia de la ciudad de Nueva York, dijo a ABC News que "los paquetes están apropiadamente asegurados y no representan un riesgo o peligro para el público inmediato" y "deberán ser retirados y colocados en contenedores seguros".

No se encontraron vapores tóxicos en el aire y no se presentaron personas lesionadas. Agentes del FBI y equipos especializados en armas de destrucción masiva y en mercancías peligrosas se encuentran investigando en el lugar de los hechos.


Swedish nuclear reactors shut down over safety concerns

Three of Sweden's ten nuclear reactors have been shut down due to safety concerns following an incident last week at the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant, in which the reactor cooling systems failed. The reactor has since been shut down there. After the incident, the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate, SKI asked all the nuclear power plants to demonstrate that the same failure could not happen in them. On Wednesday, two more reactors at Oskarshamn were shut down after the operator said their safety could not be guaranteed.

Last week's incident at the Forsmark plant was triggered by a short circuit that cut  power to the reactor cooling system. Two of the four backup generators also failed to start, but the remaining two worked and were sufficient to meet the plant's needs. Greenpeace reports that the fault in the backup power systems were traced to new equipment installed in 1993.

The spokesman of the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate Anders Bredfell denied that there was any danger of a meltdown, adding that there was also a backup gas turbine to power the cooling system in an emergency.

However, Lars-Olov Höglund, who was responsible for the nuclear plant Forsmark for many years, said the incident was the most dangerous one since Chernobyl and Three Mile island, and that a meltdown was avoided only by pure luck. His views have however been questioned as he is involved in  litigation with the Swedish nuclear industry and is known as an outspoken nuclear critic. Researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology as well as the personnel at the power plant were critical of Höglunds' view.

Speaking to BBC News, SKI spokesman Anders Bredfell said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed of the incident as required and that the incident classes as a '2' in the 0-7 scale used by the IAEA to assess the severity of the incident.

Another reactor in Forsmark and a fifth at Ringhals nuclear power plant have been offline due to planned maintenance work. With five of its ten reactors down, Sweden's power generation capacity is down by almost a fifth.

The environmental group Greenpeace called on the government to shut down all reactors and probe whether the fault was a generic one. The Green Party has called for an independent investigation of the incident. Sweden is scheduled to retire all its nuclear power plants in the next few decades, as decided by a referendum in 1980.


Arrêt de plusieurs réacteurs nucléaires suédois

Pour des raisons de sécurité, trois réacteurs nucléaires sur dix ont été stoppés à la suite d'un incident la semaine dernière à la centrale de Forsmark en Suède. Les systèmes de refroidissement du réacteur étaient en panne. Après cet incident, les inspecteurs de la sûreté nucléaire suédoise ont demandé la preuve que ce type d'incident ne pouvait pas se reproduire. Mercredi, 2 autres réacteurs à Oskarshamn ont été stoppés.
L'incident de la semaine dernière à la centrale de Forsmark était dû à un court-circuit sur le système de refroidissement. Deux des quatre générateurs de secours n'ont pas répondu aux ordres de mise en route, mais les deux restants ont fonctionné et ont pu refroidir le cœur.
Un porte-parole des inspecteurs a indiqué qu'en aucun cas le cœur n'aurait pu fondre car une génératrice à gaz de secours  pouvait encore alimenter  le système de refroidissement.
Lars-Olov Höglund, qui fût de nombreuses années responsable du réacteur a indiqué que la catastrophe a été évité de justesse et que cet incident est le plus grave depuis Tchernobyl et Three Mile island.
Le porte-parole de l'AIEA a indiqué que son agence été informée de cet incident et qu'il avait été classé 2 sur une échelle de 0 à 7.


スウェーデンの原子力発電所で事故

スウェーデンのフォルスマルク原子力発電所で7月25日（UTC+2）炉心緊急冷却システムと予備の冷却装置が電気的トラブルにより動かなくなり、炉心溶融につながりかねない状態となったことが明らかとなった。

ストックホルムの北のウプサラ県にあるフォルスマルク原子力発電所には3基の沸騰水型原子炉 (BWR) があり、事故を起こしたのは1号機。

原子力資料情報室によると、25日午後1時19分（日本時間午後9時19分）頃、メンテナンスを制御する部分で何らかの原因によってショートが起き電源が停止、原子炉を緊急停止した。操作員により炉心溶融に至る前に2台の非常発電機の復旧に成功した。

BBCによればこの事故は国際原子力機関 (IAEA) のレベル0から7まである国際原子力事象評価尺度（INES）のレベル2に相当するという。

スウェーデンではこの事故を受けて、国内に10基ある原子炉のうち4基を停止させた。なおこの事故のニュースは2日間にわたり非公開とされた。

この記事は、ウィキニュース英語版から翻訳を一部に含みます。


Trzy szwedzkie reaktory jądrowe wyłączone ze względów bezpieczeństwa

Trzy z dziesięciu szwedzkich reaktorów jądrowych zostały wyłączone ze względów bezpieczeństwa. Przyczyną wstrzymania pracy reaktorów była awaria systemów chłodzących do której doszło w zeszłym tygodniu w elektrowni jądrowej Forsmark. Od momentu awarii reaktor jest nieczynny. Po tym wypadku szwedzki inspektorat energii jądrowej (SKI) zażądał od wszystkich elektrowni jądrowych zapewnienia, że podobna awaria nie wydarzy się. W środę dwa kolejne reaktory w Oskarshamn zostały wyłączone po tym jak ich operator stwierdził, że nie może zagwarantować bezpieczeństwa pracy reaktorów.

Zeszłotygodniowy incydent w elektrowni Forsmark został spowodowany przez awarię układu odpowiedzialnego za zasilanie systemu chłodzącego. Dwa z czterech zapasowych generatorów nie uruchomiły się, jednak pozostałe dwa pracowały i zaopatrzyły system w wymaganą ilość energii.

Rzecznik SKI, Anders Bredfell, zaprzeczył jakoby istniało jakiekolwiek niebezpieczeństwo stopienia rdzenia reaktora, jednocześnie zaznaczył, że w elektrowni istnieje zapasowa turbina gazowa służąca do awaryjnego zasilania systemu chłodzącego.

W rozmowie z BBC News rzecznik SKI powiedział, że Międzynarodowa Agencja Energii Atomowej (IAEA) została poinformowana o wypadku zgodnie z wymaganiami, oraz że incydent został sklasyfikowany jako "2" w siedmiostopniowej skali używanej przez MAEA do ustalania dotkliwości wypadków.

Na czas zaplanowanych prac konserwacyjnych wyłączone zostały kolejne dwa reaktory, w Forsmark oraz w elektrowni jądrowej Ringhals.

Greenpeace wezwał rząd Szwecji do wyłączenia wszystkich reaktorów w celu dokładnego sprawdzenia czy nie istnieje ryzyko kolejnej awarii. Szwedzka Partia Zielonych wezwała do przeprowadzenia niezależnego śledztwa w sprawie wypadku. Na mocy decyzji podjętej w referendum w 1980 roku, wszystkie elektrownie jądrowe na terenie Szwecji mają zostać zamknięte do 2010 roku.


Syrian opposition report fuel station bombing kills at least nine

Opposition activists in Syria say nine or more people have died as the result of a car bomb explosion at a fuel station in the Barzeh al-Balad district of Damascus, the capital of the country, according to BBC News Online. News agency Reuters has placed the minimum death toll at eleven while also reporting at least forty injuries. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights believes an increase in the number of fatalities recorded is probable.

At the time of the incident, a large number of people were waiting at the station to collect petrol. Activists say Syria is short of petrol because of the ongoing civil war, which started during 2011. BBC News Online says drivers queueing at fuel stations for hours is a frequent occurrence in the country.

An unidentified activist told Reuters the fuel station was "usually packed even when it has no fuel. There are lots of people who sleep there overnight, waiting for early morning fuel consignments". The same person reported witnessing the bodies of burned people being placed onto ambulances, as well as those with wounds and severe burns, and vehicles the blast had destroyed being towed away. The activist, a local resident, said security workers at the station then told him to leave the scene.

The Revolution Leadership Council, which is part of the Syrian opposition, cited "a booby-trapped car" as the source of the explosion. It is unclear at this stage as to who was responsible for the incident, although the local activist who spoke to Reuters said there had been increased conflict between civilians and militia supportive of  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at fuel stations recently.


Έντεκα νεκροί στη Συρία μετά από έκρηξη στη Δαμασκό

Σύμφωνα με την Αντιπολίτευση της Συρίας, έντεκα άνθρωποι έχασαν τη ζωή τους κατά τη διάρκεια έκρηξης βόμβας σε παγιδευμένο αυτοκίνητο σε πρατήριο υγρών καυσίμων στη Δαμασκό.

Κατά τη διάρκεια της έκρηξης, στο πρατήριο υγρών καυσίμων είχαν σχηματιστεί ουρές, καθώς τα καύσιμα έχουν γίνει σπάνιο προϊον στη χώρα, η οποία βρίσκεται σε εμφύλιο πόλεμο εδώ και σχεδόν δύο έτη.

Από την πλευρά του, ο Πρόεδρος της Συρίας, Μπασάρ αλ Άσαντ, δήλωσε ότι «οι αντάρτες φέρουν ευθύνη για το συμβάν και για τον θάνατο έντεκα ατόμων».

5 Ιανουαρίου 2013


Tail from Air France jet recovered from Atlantic Ocean

A search team from Brazil has recovered a part of the tail section of Air France Flight 447, which crashed in the Atlantic on June 1. The Brazilian armed forces have released pictures of divers near the tail fin, painted with the Air France colours of blue, red, and white.

Meanwhile, France said that it has dispatched a nuclear submarine to search for the airplane's flight data recorders, which could provide information as to how and why the jet crashed.

Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the waters of the ocean last weekend.

Brazilian president  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that "everything was being done [...] so that we can find, if possible, all the bodies, because we know how much it means for a family to receive their lost loved one."


العثور على ذيل طائرة الخطوط الجوية الفرنسية في المحيط الأطلنطي

عثر فريق بحث من البرازيل على قطع من ذيل طائرة الخطوط الجوية الفرنسية الرحلة 447، والتي سقطت في المحيط الأطلنطي في 1 يونيو. نشرت القوات المسلحة البرازيلية صور لغواصين مع ذيل الطائرة وملونه بلون الخطوط الجوية الفرنسية الأزرق والأحمر والأبيض.

في هذة الأثناء صرحت فرنسا أنها ارسلت غواصة نووية للبحث عن بيانات رحلة الطائرة والتي سوف توفر معلومات عن كيف ولماذا سقطت الطائرة.

عثر أيضاً على 16 جثة في مياه الأطلنطي في نهاية الأسبوع الماضي.

الرئيس البرازيلي لويس إيناسيو لولا دا سيلفا قال: "كل شيء يتم فعله [...] لنجد - إن كان ممكن - كل الجثث؛ لأننا نعرف كم هو يعني لأسرة فقدت عزيز عليها تلقيه".

الإثنين،  8 يونيو 2009


Znaleziono fragment zaginionego 1 czerwca Airbusa

Znaleziono szczątki samolotu linii Air France AF 447 z 228 osobami na pokładzie, który zaginął 1 czerwca nad Atlantykiem.

O północy czasu polskiego 1 czerwca Airbus A-330-200 wyleciał z Rio de Janeiro. Samolot o 11:10 miał wylądować w Paryżu, jednak maszyna zniknęła z ekranów brazylijskich radarów ok. godz. 3.33 rano czasu polskiego nad Atlantykiem. O godz. 4.14 czasu polskiego wysłał automatycznie wiadomość o zwarciu elektrycznym.

6 czerwca, w pobliżu miejsca, w którym samolot prawdopodobnie się rozbił, odnaleziono ciała dwóch mężczyzn i rzeczy osobiste pasażerów (walizkę z biletem i plecak z komputerem przenośnym) oraz szczątki Airbusa (siedzenie), które zabrano następnie na archipelag Fernando de Noronha. Do tej pory udało się wyłowić jedynie 24 ciała.

Poszukiwania znacznie utrudnia niesprzyjająca, burzowa pogoda. W rejonie poszukiwań głębokość Atlantyku osiąga miejscami siedem kilometrów.

By dokładnie ustalić przyczyny katastrofy należałoby znaleźć czarną skrzynkę, jednak prawdopodobnie leży ona na dnie oceanu. Urządzenia szuka brazylijska i francuska marynarka wojenna, w tym atomowy okręt podwodny. Skrzynka nadal wysyła sygnały, dzięki czemu są jeszcze szanse na jej zlokalizowanie, lecz po wyczerpaniu baterii będzie to praktycznie niemożliwe.


法航失事飞机尾翼残骸找到

来自巴西的一个搜救小组在大西洋法航447航班失事海域找到了飞机的垂直尾翼残骸。这架航班于6月1日失事，随后的搜救工作中一直没有发现飞机残骸。

与此同时，法国方面表示将排除核潜艇前往失事海域搜查该飞机的黑匣子。从搜救小组公布的图片看，尾翼蓝红相间的条纹十分清晰，没有任何燃烧的痕迹。专家据此分析，飞机很有可能在空中解体，碎片散落于大西洋水域。专家还表示，尾翼的断面也为飞机坠毁时的机身手里情况提供信息。

另外媒体报道，失事客机上十几位中国乘客家属已经于8日下午抵达法国，处理善后事宜。


TAM Linhas Aéreas plane crashes at São Paulo airport in Brazil

On Tuesday afternoon a TAM Linhas Aéreas Airbus A320 (flight #JJ3054) crashed while attempting a landing at Congonhas airport, in São Paulo Brazil. The plane reportedly skidded off the wet runway, crossed a busy thoroughfare  before careening into a fuel depot and warehouse ultimately bursting into flames.

"The plane accelerated when it reached the end of the runway and tried to take off again to avoid the road, but it crashed into the building and exploded," Junior Matos told AFP.

Authorities believe that all 180 people onboard the plane have died, and a further 15 people on the ground are feared dead as well.

Earlier, there were reports from the Brazilian media that eight people, some from the plane, and some from the gas station, were taken to the local hospital for treatment and that Brazilian congressman Júlio Redecker was also on board the plane.

Low clouds and heavy rain were reported at the time of the crash. Additionally, the runway has had a history of problems with standing water. Neither of these factors have been linked to the cause of the crash at this point.

Rodrigo Pinho, state attorney, said the authorities will thoroughly investigate "to determine the cause and to identify who was responsible".


Avionska nesreća u Brazilu

Sao Paolo (Brazil), 18. juli 2007. –

Brazilski putnički avion sa 174 putnika i člana posade u utorak je udario u benzinsku pumpu i zapalio se pri slijetanju na aerodrom Congonhas u Sao Paulu, izvijestili su dužnosnici aerodroma i kompanije TAM, kojoj avion pripada. U nesreći bi moglo biti najmanje 200 mrtvih.

Airbus 320 kompanije TAM letio je iz grada Porto Alegre u južnom Brazilu, objavila je kompanija TAM. Airbus je, navodno zbog prekasnog kočenja po slijetanju, probio jedan zid i udario u benzinsku pumpu i obližnje skladište.


Brasilien: Passagierflugzeug auf dem Flughafen São Paulo verunglückt

São Paulo (Brasilien), 19.07.2007 – Am Dienstagnachmittag, den 17. Juli, ist ein Airbus A320 der brasilianischen Fluggesellschaft TAM Linhas Aéreas mit der Flugnummer „JJ3054“ verunglückt, als er versuchte, am Flughafen Congonhas in São Paulo zu landen. Das Flugzeug ist nach dem Aufsetzen über die nasse Rollbahn gerutscht, hat eine Durchgangsstraße überquert und ist anschließend in eine Tankstelle und eine Lagerhalle gerast, wo es am Ende in Flammen aufging.

„Das Flugzeug beschleunigte, als es das Ende der Rollbahn erreichte, und versuchte noch einmal zu starten, um der Straße auszuweichen, krachte dann aber in das Gebäude und explodierte“, sagte Junior Matos der französischen Nachrichtenagentur Agence France-Presse.

Die Behörden gehen davon aus, dass alle 180 Personen an Bord des Flugzeugs gestorben sind. Es wird befürchtet, dass weitere 15 Menschen, die sich auf dem Erdboden befanden, ebenfalls tot sind.

Zuvor hatten brasilianische Medien berichtet, dass acht Leute, teilweise aus dem Flugzeug und teilweise von der Tankstelle, zur Behandlung in das örtliche Krankenhaus eingeliefert worden seien und auch der brasilianische Abgeordnete Júlio Redecker an Bord der Maschine gewesen sei.

Zum Zeitpunkt der Bruchlandung wurden tiefhängende Wolken und starker Regen gemeldet. Zusätzlich hatte die Rollbahn schon längere Zeit Probleme mit stehendem Wasser. Bislang wurde aber keiner dieser beiden Faktoren als Ursache für die Havarie angegeben.

Der Staatsanwalt Rodrigo Pinho sagte, die Behörden würden sorgfältige Nachforschungen anstellen, um „die Ursache herauszufinden und zu ermitteln, wer verantwortlich war“.


Caída de avión genera gigantesco incendio en Brasil

17 de julio de 2007São Paulo, Brasil —

Un avión Airbus A-320 de la empresa TAM se estrelló contra un tanque de combustible en el aeropuerto Congonhas de São Paulo, Brasil.

El hecho se produjo a las 18,45 hora de Brasil, cuando un avión de la empresa TAM no logró detener la marcha sobre una de las pistas y atravesó la avenida Washington Luiz, al lado de la entrada principal del aeropuerto de Congonhas estrellándose contra un antiguo predio de TAM del otro lado de la avenida, vecino a un puesto de gasolina. Un gigantesco incendio comenzó en el lugar y fue controlado por diferentes dotaciones de Bomberos. El aeropuerto permanece cerrado y varias ambulancias arribaron al lugar.

El vuelo JJ 3054 que provenía de Porto Alegre, llevaba al menos 174 personas a bordo y habría partido a las 17:16 hora local (UTC-3). El piloto perdió el control y se estrelló contra el hangar.

Nubes bajas e intensas lluvias se registraban en el momento del accidente. Además, la pista ha tenido una problemática historia con el agua. Pero ninguno de estos factures ha sido asociado como causa del impacto hasta el momento.

El Financial Times reporta que la totalidad de los 175 pasajeros del vuelo han muerto.

Se han cancelado los vuelos del aeropuerto y están siendo redirigidos a las terminales de Guarulhos y Campinas a pocos kilómetros del aeropuerto. También se supo que a bordo del avión se encontraba el congresista Júlio Redecker.


Disastro aereo in Brasile: 200 morti

Un Airbus A320 della compagnia brasiliana TAM con 176 persone a bordo, in fase di atterraggio nell'Aeroporto Internazionale di Congonhas di San Paolo, ha proseguito la sua corsa oltre la pista d'atterraggio, e si è schiantato contro uno dei terminal dell'aerostazione, prossimo ad una stazione di rifornimento per aerei.

Si è così sviluppato un incendio di vaste dimensioni, che ha avvolto l'aereo e l'edificio di tre piani nel quale era rimasto intrappolato quest'ultimo, e che ha visto operarsi per il suo spegnimento oltre 40 automezzi dei vigili del fuoco.

Il bilancio, il più tragico della storia del Brasile, parla di 250 morti, molti dei quali non sono ancora stati ritrovati.

La pista sulla quale è avvenuta l'immane tragedia, che è non solo la più tragica del paese, ma anche una delle più mortali dell'intera storia dell'aviazione mondiale, era stata riaperta dopo oltre due mesi di lavori per esigenze operative, ma era carente delle scanalature necessarie per la defluizione dell'acqua piovana, causa della tragedia odierna.

Fonti dei vigili del fuoco hanno indicato che finora sono stati recuperati dall'interno dell'hangar 25 cadaveri, mentre la Tam ha reso noti i primi 11 nomi delle vittime a bordo dell'aereo. Secondo quanto riferito dalle squadre di soccorso, la vastità dell'incendio è stata tale che i passeggeri sono rimasti intrappolati tra le fiamme, ad una temperatura vicina, se non superiore, ai 1000 °C.

Il presidente brasiliano Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ha decretato tre giorni di lutto nazionale e ha assicurato che "saranno effettuate tutte le indagini necessarie per dare una spiegazione" alla tragedia. Dopo il disastro, Congonhas è stato chiuso e tutti i voli sono stati dirottati sull'aeroporto internazionale di San Paolo


Brazylia: katastrofa lotnicza w São Paulo

Brazylijski Airbus A320 linii lotniczych TAM, lot 3054 rozbił się na lotnisku w São Paulo w czasie ulewnego deszczu. Lądujący samolot uderzył w przy lotniskowy budynek, zahaczając o kontenery z paliwem. Nikt ze 170 pasażerów samolotu nie przeżył. Oficjalnie również potwierdzono śmierć 15 osób na ziemi. Pomimo tego liczbę ofiar szacuje się na 200.

Według relacji świadków, samolot w czasie lądowania nie zdążył wyhamować i zjechał na pobliska szosę, a następnie uderzył w pobliską stację paliwową. Gubernator São Paulo powiedział ze, szanse na przeżycie któregokolwiek z pasażerów i osób znajdującym się w budynku są praktycznie zerowe.

W wyniku wypadku wybuchł pożar. Według dowódcy akcji ratunkowej mogło zginąć o wiele więcej osób na ziemi niż jest to oficjalnie podawane. Jest to największa katastrofa lotnicza w historii Brazylii.


Avião da TAM Linhas Aéreas se choca em São Paulo

O Vôo TAM JJ 3054 do dia 17 de julho de 2007 operado pela aeronave Airbus A320 da companhia brasileira TAM chocou-se contra um depósito de cargas da mesma companhia área e um posto de gasolina situados nas proximidades da cabeceira do Aeroporto de Congonhas, zona sul de São Paulo.

Segundo informações obtidas até o momento, o avião tinha a bordo 186 pessoas[1], e o mesmo vinha da cidade de Porto Alegre. Ainda não se sabe as causas, mas o que foi apontado é de que o avião derrapou por causa de uma aquaplanagem[2] e também não conseguiu frear a tempo, sendo este o 3º acidente no aeroporto em 48 horas. No entanto, informações extra-oficiais apontam que o avião tocou a pista além do ponto máximo para aterrissagem e que este se chocou voando aos prédios atingidos. Tais informações são corroboradas pelo fato de o canteiro central da avenida que separa o aeroporto das edificações atingidas não ter sofrido qualquer dano.

É provável que seja o acidente aéreo com maior número de mortos do Brasil (provavelmente o 11° do mundo). É considerado o pior acidente aéreo da história da América Latina e o pior acidente envolvendo um Airbus A320 em todo o mundo.

Foi feita uma reconstituição[3] da trajetória do avião no momento que o mesmo foi pousar no aeroporto de Congonhas, tendo em vista os fatos já apresentados. A imagem a seguir reproduz tal situação:

Categoria:Desastres e acidentes

Categoria:Desastres e acidentes
Categoria:América do Sul


巴西天馬航空空難 200多人罹難

巴西天馬航空3054號班機（JJ3054）是一班隸屬於巴西天馬航空、從巴西阿雷格裡港的紹卡多·飛柳國際機場（Aeroporto Internacional Salgado Filho，POA/SBPA）飛往聖保羅孔戈尼亞斯國際機場（Aeroporto Internacional de Congonhas，CGH/SGSP）的定期航班。

2007年7月17日當地傍晚時分，一架負責此航班、機身編號PR-MBK的空中巴士A320-233客機在大雨中欲降落於孔戈尼亞斯國際機場時，疑因速度過快再加上地面濕滑煞停不及，加上機場跑道太短所致。雖然據報飛行員試圖重飛，但最後仍然衝出跑道末端、橫渡了一條尖峰時間中的八線道高速公路之後，高速撞入巴西天馬航空在加油站附近的辧公大樓並且爆炸。機上有186名人員（包含 162位乘客，18名巴西天馬航空職員，6位機組人員）與至少15名地面的人員在事故中喪生，聖保羅地方官員指出，飛機爆炸時機艙內溫度達攝氏1000度，生還機會幾近於零，聖保羅消隊報告「至少200人」死亡，是巴西最嚴重的一次空難。


Teenage girl pulled out of rubble in Haiti fifteen days after earthquake

A sixteen-year-old girl, Darlene Etienne, was pulled out from underneath the rubble of a collapsed school in Haiti yesterday, fifteen days after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the country, devastating most buildings in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Etienne had been studying at school in the capital when the tremors stared, collapsing the building. She had apparently survived by drinking water from a bathroom, and the Al Jazeera news agency reports rescuers had heard her mumbling something about having some Coca-Cola.

When pulled from the rubble, she was reportedly dehydrated, but happy. Etienne was taken to a French-run field hospital, and later to a hospital ship moored off the Haitian coast for further treatment. "She just said 'Thank you', she's very weak, which suggests that she's been there for 15 days," said the head of the rescue team that recovered the girl, Samuel Bernes, noting that she was located "in a pocket, surrounded by concrete".

"She couldn't really talk to us or say how long she'd been there but I think she'd been there since the earthquake. I don't think she could have survived even a few more hours," rescuer Claude Fuilla told the Associated Press.

"I don't know how she happened to resist that long," said another rescue worker, JP Malaganne, as quoted by the BBC.

"It all happened very quickly, but rescue teams managed to get her out and she was covered in layers of dust and concrete," said Jonah Hull, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, describing the rescue effort as being "a delicate process".

Five days ago, the Haitian government officially ended its search for living people under the rubble; upwards of 130 people have been rescued from underneath the remains of collapsed buildings.


எயிட்டியில் இடிபாடுகளுக்கிடையில் சிக்கிய இளம் பெண் 15 நாட்களின் பின் மீட்கப்பட்டார்

எயிட்டி தலைநகர் போர்ட் ஓ பிரின்சில் நிலநடுக்கம் ஏற்பட்டு 15 நாட்களின் பின்னர் இடிபாடுகளுக்குள்ளிருந்து 16 வயது இளம் பெண் உயிருடன் மீட்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

பிரெஞ்சு மற்றும் எயிட்டி மீட்புக் குழுவினரால் இவர் வெளியில் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டபோது காலில் காயத்துடன் மிகவும் வாடிய நிலையில், இருந்த போதும் இவருக்குச் சுய நினைவு இருந்ததாகத் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

இடிபாடுகளுக்குள்ளிருந்து இச் சிறுமியின் குரலைக் கேட்ட சிலர் அப்பகுதியில் தேடுதல் முயற்சிகளை மேற்கொள்ளுமாறு செஞ்சிலுவைச் சங்கப் பணியாளர்களைக் கோரியதாகத் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது. கடந்த 12 ஆம் திகதி ஏற்பட்ட பூகம்பத்தால் இடியுண்ட அவரது வீட்டின் சுவர் மற்றும் கதவுக்கிடையில் இச் சிறுமி சிக்குண்டிருந்ததாகத் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகிறது.

மீட்புப் பணிகள் நிறைவுக்கு வந்துள்ள நிலையில், மேலும், பல புதிய பகுதிகளில் தேடுதலை முன்னெடுக்குமாறு ஹெய்டியர்கள் வேண்டுகோள் விடுத்துள்ளனர்.

ஹெய்ட்டி தலைநகர் மற்றும் பல்வேறு நகரங்களில் இடிபாடுகளில் சிக்கியிருந்த 135 பேரை பன்னாட்டு மீட்புக் குழுவினர் இதுவரை உயிருடன் மீட்டுள்ளனர். இதுவரையில் சுமார் 1 இலட்சத்து 70 ஆயிரம் சடலங்கள் வரை மீட்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இயந்திரங்கள் மூலம் சடலங்கள் அப்புறப்படுத்தப்பட்டு வீதிகளை சரிசெய்து போக்குவரத்தை ஒழுங்குபடுத்தும் முயற்சியில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ளோம் என்று அந்நாட்டு ஜனாதிபதி ரெனி பிரிவெல் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

சனி, சனவரி 30, 2010


Ten dead, nine injured as Super Typhoon Megi clears Philippines

Ten people are confirmed dead and nine injured as Super Typhoon Megi, also known as Juan, cleared the Philippines Tuesday. Megi is the strongest typhoon to strike the country this year.

Megi is currently a "super typhoon" with winds in excess of 185 km/h (115 mph). It brought strong winds and heavy rains to northern provinces Monday, knocking out power and forcing the cancellation of flights.

Experts indicated that Megi might damage up to 60% of the rice crop in the Cagayan valley on the main island of Luzon, producer of about one-third of the rice for the Philippines.

Reports state that landslides have blocked roads in the Apayao province, Luzon. Four casualties were caused by drowning, three by a building collapse, two by collapsed trees and one by a lightning strike. It has been reported that nine people were injured in Cagayan, Kalinga, and Baguio City.

Thousands of soldiers were on standby as the storm hit, ready to deliver aid to those affected.

Megi began to clear the Philippines and is heading towards mainland China. The typhoon soaked the capital, Manila, with rain until 8 pm local time Tuesday.


Taifun Megi trifft Philippinen

Manila (Philippinen), 18.10.2010 – Taifun „Megi“, der stärkste Taifun seit mehr als zwei Jahrzehnten, zieht derzeit über den Norden den philippinischen Hauptinsel Luzon hinweg. Der Sturm, der von den philippinischen Behörden den Namen „Juan“ erhielt, war nach Berechnungen der Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) mit andauernden zehnminütigen Windgeschwindigkeiten von bis zu 230 km/h und einem zentralen minimalen Luftdruck von 885 Hektopascal auf die Küste der Provinz Isabela geprallt. Sollten sich diese Werte bestätigen, handelt es sich bei „Megi“ um den stärksten Sturm beim Erreichen der Küste seit dem Labour-Day-Hurrikan von 1935. Es wird erwartet, dass sich der Wirbelsturm nach dem Abschwächen während des Überquerens von Luzon im Südchinesischen Meer wieder intensiviert und Kurs auf China nimmt. Nach den Vorhersagen der US-Marine wird „Megi“ beim Landfall an der chinesischen Küste Windgeschwindigkeiten von 185 Kilometern pro Stunde erreichen.

Der philippinische Staatspräsident Benigno Aquino hat die Behörden in Bereitschaft versetzt.

Über Schäden und Opfer gibt es noch keine genauen Angaben. Es wird befürchtet, dass die Auswirkungen des tropischen Wirbelsturmes die Reisernte gefährden. Besonders vernichtend sind bei tropischen Wirbelstürmen nicht nur die starken Winde, sondern vor allem die diese Tiefdruckgebiete begleitenden Niederschläge, die mehrere hundert Millimeter innerhalb von 24 Stunden erreichen können. Bislang wurde ein Opfer des Sturmes gemeldet. Ein Mann war bei Tuguegarao in der Provinz Cagayan in einem Fluss ertrunken.

Die Philippinen werden jedes Jahr von mehreren Taifunen getroffen. Die Insel Luzon wurde jedoch in der vergangenen Taifunsaison von einer Reihe von schweren Taifunen heimgesucht. Die beiden Taifune „Ketsana“ und „Parma“ hatten Ende September/Anfang Oktober 2009 innerhalb weniger Tage Luzon überquert und mehr als 1000 Menschenleben gefordert. Der damalige Schaden summierte sich auf rund 4,3 Milliarden US-Dollar. Im Juli 2010 hatte Taifun „Conson“ nach Angaben des nationalen Katastrophenkoordinierungsrates 102 Menschen getötet und mehr als 70.000 Häuser beschädigt oder zerstört.


Ten killed in helicopter crash in Argentina, French Olympians among the dead

Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games

Three French sport stars are among the dead following a helicopter crash on Monday in Villa Castelli, Argentina. In total, ten people died after the crash, which involved two helicopters. The dead included passengers and both pilots in the mid-air collision. The victims were taking part in the French reality television show 'Dropped' when the accident happened.

The victims included Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat, Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine and Florence Arthaud, a yachtswoman. Both pilots were Argentinian, the remainder of the victims were French and worked as part of the television shows production team. Bodies of all ten of the victims have been retrieved and taken to the morgue.

The accident occurred while both helicopters were flying at a low altitude in tandem. Amateur camera footage shows the helicopters colliding when one appears to fly into the path of the other. It remains unclear what caused actions which lead to the crash. Cesar Angulo, Secretary of Security for La Rioja, the province in which the accident happened released an update. He said "An explosion occurred and it's believed that they must have collided. Aeronautical experts will have to determine that."

French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to the victims. Speaking about the sport stars who lost their lives he said "They are dead because they wanted to push the boundaries. They wanted to make new exploits known to the world, make people aware of new countries and regions." An involuntary manslaughter investigation has been opened by French officials. The procedure occurred automatically due to the fact the French citizens died abroad.

The television show involves contestants taking part in survival style activities in remote locations. Other contestants taking part included figure skater Philippe Candeloro, footballer Sylvain Wiltord, snowboarder Anne-Flore Marxer, swimmer Alain Bernard and Jeannie Longo, a cyclist. All the other contestants were uninjured during the accident.

The show, which was to be shown on TF1 in France started filming in February. The channel released a statement after the accident. They said "We learn with immense sadness of the accident that occurred during the filming of the show 'Dropped.' [Staff] come together in this terrible time with the pain of the families and those close to the victims". French media announced that all contestants and crew are returning home and that filming had been suspended.

Muffat became the Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. The 25-year-old also won a silver and bronze medal at the same games in different events. Vastine, 28, also competed at the 2012 games, being eliminated from the Light Welterweight category in the quarter finals. He won a gold medal in the 2008 games in Beijing, China. Arthaud, 57, was a yachtswoman who won the 1990 Route du Rhum.


Deu persones moren en un accident aeri a Villa Castelli, Argentina

13 de març del 2015, Villa Castelli

Autoritats de la província de la Rioja van anunciar en un comunicat que “un accident entre dos helicòpters a la Quebrada del Yeso, a la localitat de Villa Castelli, va causar la mort de deu persones” el passat dimarts 9 de març; les autoritats van afegir que aquestes persones eren part de la producció de Dropped (supervivència al nu), una nova sèrie de realitat de la cadena TF1 francesa.

Entre les víctimes hi ha la navegadora Florence Arthaud, la nedadora Camille Muffat, i Alexis Vastine, boxejador. Cinc membres de la producció també van morir: Laurent Sbasnik, Lucier Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice i Edward Gilles Guilbert, a més dels dos pilots d'helicòpter, Juan Carlos Castillo i Roberto Abate.

Les circumstàncies de l'accident no estan clares, els dos aparells es van sacsejar en l'aire per algun motiu abans d'estavellar. Un portaveu de les autoritats locals va dir que les condicions meteorològiques eren bones. Els testimonis van parlar "error del pilot." Es va obrir una investigació per homicidi a París per determinar les causes de l'accident.

El President de la República Francesa, François Hollande, va expressar la seva “immensa tristesa” i va retre homenatge a la “marinera Florence Arthaud, la campiona olímpica de natació Camille Muffat i el campió de boxa Alexis Vastine, que tant va fer brillar França”.

El reality show Dropped, produït per AdventureLine consisteix a dipositar dos equips de celebritats en la naturalesa i deixar que ells es valguin per trobar menjar i refugi. L'objectiu de cada un és de tornar a la civilització amb la finalitat de recarregar un telèfon mòbil i trucar a Louis Bodin, el presentador del programa. Les celebritats que van participar en aquest programa van ser Alain Bernard, Jeannie Longo, Camille Muffat, Sylvain Wiltord, Florence Arthaud, Alexis Vastine, Anne-Flore Marxer i Philippe Candeloro.


Diez personas fallecen en un accidente aéreo en Villa Castelli, Argentina

Autoridades de la provincia de La Rioja anunciaron en un comunicado que "un accidente entre dos helicópteros en la Quebrada del Yeso, en la localidad de Villa Castelli, causó la muerte de diez personas" el pasado martes 9 de marzo, las autoridades añadieron que estas personas "eran parte de la producción de Dropped (Supervivencia al desnudo "una nueva serie de realidad de la cadena TF1 francesa.

Entre las víctimas están la navegadora Florencia Arthaud, nadador Camille Muffat, Alexis Vastine, boxeador. Cinco de miembros de la producción también muerieron: Laurent Sbasnik, Lucier Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice y Edward Gilles Guilbert, y los dos pilotos de helicóptero, Juan Carlos Castillo y Roberto Abate.

Las circunstancias del accidente no están claras, los dos aparatos se sacudieron en el aire por algún motivo antes de estrellarse. Un portavoz de las autoridades locales, dijo que las condiciones meteorológicas eran buenas. Los testigos hablaron "error del piloto." Se abrió una investigación por homicidio en París para determinar las causas del accidente.

El Presidente de la República Francesa, François Hollande, expresó su "inmensa tristeza" y rindió homenaje al "marinero Florencia Arthaud, el campeón olímpico de natación Camille Muffat y campeón de boxeo Alexis Vastine, que tanto hizo brillar Francia. »

El reality show Dropped producido por Producciones AdventureLine consiste en depositar dos equipos de celebridades en la naturaleza y dejar que ellos se valgan para encontrar comida y refugio. El objetivo de cada uno es de volver a la civilización con el fin de recargar un teléfono celular y llamar a Louis Bodin, el presentador del programa. Las celebridades que participaron en este programa fueron Alain Bernard, Jeannie Longo, Camille Muffat, Sylvain Wiltord, Florence Arthaud, Alexis Vastine, Anne-Flore Marxer y Philippe Candeloro.


Argentine : une collision d'hélicoptères fait 10 morts

Les autorités de la province de La Rioja ont annoncé, dans un communiqué, qu'« un accident entre deux hélicoptères dans la Quebrada del Yeso a provoqué la mort de dix personnes », les autorités ont ajouté que ces personnes « faisaient partie de la production de Dropped » un nouveau jeu de télé-réalité de la chaîne française TF1.

Parmi les victimes se trouvent la navigatrice Florence Arthaud, la nageuse Camille Muffat, le boxeur Alexis Vastine. Cinq membres de la production de l'émission ont également trouvé la mort : Laurent Sbasnik, Lucier Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert et Edouard Gilles, ainsi que les deux pilotes des hélicoptères, Juan Carlos Castillo et Roberto Abate.

Les circonstances de l'accident restent floues, les deux appareils se seraient entrechoqués dans les airs pour une raison inconnue avant de venir s'écraser. Un porte-parole des autorités locales précise que les conditions climatiques étaient bonnes. Des témoins « ont évoqué une erreur de pilotage ». Une enquête pour homicide involontaire a été ouverte à Paris pour déterminer les causes de l'accident.

Le président de la République française, François Hollande, a fait part de son « immense tristesse » et a rendu hommage à « la navigatrice Florence Arthaud, la championne olympique de natation Camille Muffat et le champion de boxe Alexis Vastine, qui ont tant fait briller la France. »

Le jeu de télé-réalité Dropped produit par AdventureLine Productions consiste à déposer deux équipes de célébrités dans la nature et à les laisser se débrouiller pour trouver de la nourriture et des abris. L'objectif de chacune est d'arriver à rejoindre la civilisation pour y recharger un portable et téléphoner à Louis Bodin, l'animateur de l'émission. Les célébrités qui participaient à cette émission étaient Alain Bernard, Jeannie Longo, Camille Muffat, Sylvain Wiltord, Florence Arthaud, Alexis Vastine, Anne-Flore Marxer et Philippe Candeloro.


Argentina: uma colisão de hélicopteros deixa 10 mortos

As autoridades da província de La Rioja anunciaram, em um comunicado, que «um acidente entre dois helicópteros aconteceu na Quebrada del Yeso provocou a morte de dez pessoas», as autoridades acrescentaram que essas pessoas «faziam parte da produção de Dropped», um novo jogo de reality TV do canal francês TF1.

Entre as vítimas estão o marinheiro Florence Arthaud, a nadadora Camille Muffat, o boxeador Alexis Vastine. Cinco membros da produção da emissora também morreram: Laurent Sbasnik, Lucier Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert e Edouard Gilles, assim como os dois pilotos dos helicópteros, Juan Carlos Castillo e Roberto Abate.

As circunstâncias do acidente ainda não está claro, ambos os aparelhos se sacudiram no ar por algum motivo, antes de ser deixando de funcionar. Um porta-voz das autoridades locais disse que as condições meteorológicas eram boas. As testemunhas falam «erro do piloto» Uma investigação por homicídio involuntário foi aberta em Paris para determinar as causas do acidente.

O Presidente da República francesa, François Hollande, expressou sua «imensa tristeza» e deu homenagem «[a]o marinheiro Florence Arthaud, o campeã olímpica de natação Camille Muffat e o campeão de boxe Alexis Vastine, que tanto fez brilhar a França».

O reality show Dropped produzido por AdventureLine Productions consiste em depositar duas equipas de celebridades na natureza e deixá-los abandonados a encontrar comida e abrigo. O objectivo de cada um é de voltar à civilização, a fim de recarregar um telemóvel (telefone celular) à Louis Bodin, o apresentador do programa. As celebridades que participaram deste programa estão Alain Bernard, Jeannie Longo, Camille Muffat, Sylvain Wiltord, Florence Arthaud, Alexis Vastine, Anne-Flore Marxer e Philippe Candeloro.


Third death following RAF helicopter crash in North Yorkshire, UK

A third man has died today from injuries sustained in the crash of an Royal Air Force Aérospatiale Puma helicopter in the county of North Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, earlier this week. Twelve people were on board the aircraft when it crashed near Catterick Garrison army base on Wednesday evening during what is said to have been a routine training exercise.

The man has not been named but is understood to be a soldier from the Infantry Training Battalion at Catterick. Brigadier David Clements of the Commandant Infantry Training Centre said "We are all deeply saddened by the news that one of the recruits involved in Wednesday's helicopter accident has died as a result of the injuries he sustained. His family were with him when he passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult time."

Flight Lieutenant David Sale, aged 28, and Sergeant Phillip Burfoot, aged 27, died at the scene  of the crash.


Tres muertos tras un accidente de helicóptero en North Yorkshire

10 de agosto de 2007North Yorkshire, Reino Unido —

Se ha confirmado hoy una tercera muerte tras estrellarse un helicóptero Aérospatiale Puma de la Royal Air Force en el condado de North Yorkshire, en el Reino Unido.

Doce personas iban a bordo del helicóptero cuando este se estrelló en la base militar Catterick Garrison el miércoles durante lo que era ejercicio de entrenamiento de rutina.

El nombre del hombre no ha sido dado a conocimiento público pero se entiende que es un soldado del Infantry Training Battalion en Catterick.

"Estamos profundamente tristes por la noticia de que uno de nuestro reclutas involucrado en el accidente de helicóptero del miércoles ha muerto a causa de sus heridas. Su familia estaba con él cuando falleció. Rezamos con ellos en este momento tan difícil", declaró el Brigadier David Clements del Commandant Infantry Training Centre.

El Teniente Aéreo David Sale, de 28 años, y el Sargento Phillip Burfoot, de 27, murieron en la escena del accidente.


Third explosion at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

An explosion was reported at 0610 local time Tuesday morning at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant's second reactor. The blast is feared to have breached the pressure chamber.

The explosion is thought to have been in the reactor's "pressure suppression room" — part of the cooling system. It damaged the area that contains water to cool the reactor, but it is not yet clear whether it affected the containment structure near the core.

Government officials have said that there was limited damage as a result of the explosion, and efforts to cool the reactor would go on, but nuclear industry executives in Japan have said that the situation is far worse, and other unnamed officials said the containment structure had been damaged, but did not say to what extent. In the wake of the explosion, officials at the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, said for the first time a partial meltdown could be taking place within the reactor.

After the explosion, radiation levels near the facility rose from 1,941 to 8,712 microsieverts, a level still short of that required to cause immediate health effects, and radiation decreased again some time after the explosion. The legal limit for radiation in one year is a thousand microseiverts, but radiation sickness does not occur until a million microseiverts.

Prior to the explosion the fuel rods in the reactor reported to again be exposed after the pressure valve closed at 11pm local time, preventing pumping in cooling water.

"The reactor containment vessel, which is the last line of defence to contain the radiation, this may have experienced some damage...it seems that there are damages at several different places of these walls around radioactive substances." [excerpted from live translation transcription by CNN of NHK coverage of press conference, stream]

According to TEPCO, all but 50 employees of the plant were evacuated after the incident.

Workers at the 40-year old plant have been struggling to deal with the aftermath of Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami. On Saturday, a hydrogen explosion occurred at the number one reactor, followed by a second explosion on Sunday to the number three reactor. The number two reactor was reported to be overheating, with exposed fuel rods, earlier today. Nearly 185,000 people have been evacuated from the 20 km zone around the plant.


일본 후쿠시마 원전 3호기도 폭발

우려하던 일이 결국 벌어졌다. 폭발이 우려되던 후쿠시마 제1 원자력 발전소의 원자로 3호기가 폭발했다. 11일 발생한 지진으로 비상 전력마저 끊어져 냉각수가 공급되지 않아 냉각기가 분해되면서 발생한 수소가 폭발한 것이다. 아직 격납 용기는 무사한 것으로 밝혀졌다. 이번 폭발로 11명이 부상당했으며, 지난 12일 후쿠시마 제1원전 1호기가 수소 발생으로 폭발한 후 3호기도 폭발이 우려됐었다.


Третий взрыв на японской АЭС «Фукусима-1»

Утром 15 марта на 2 энергоблоке атомной электростанции «Фукусима-1» произошел взрыв водорода. По сообщениям японских источников реактор не пострадал, частично разрушен второй энергоблок. Напомним, что вчера (14 марта 2011), вскоре после второго взрыва на третьем энергоблоке, возникли серьезные проблемы с охлаждением реактора второго реактора АЭС. Некоторое время стержни топливных элементов находились не покрытые водой, что привело их частичному плавлению. К концу дня ситуацию удалось несколько исправить, однако официальные источники заявляли о высокой вероятности взрыва вызванного скоплением водорода в пространстве энергоблока. По предварительным данным, никто из ликвидаторов аварии не пострадал.

Есть информация от сотрудников АЭС о том, что вблизи третьего реактора станции уровень радиации в 400 раз превысил ежегодную допустимую норму. По словам премьер-министра Японии Наото Кана, уровень радиации после нового выброса на этот раз может представлять угрозу здоровью, а вероятность утечки радиоактивного материала остаётся высокой. АЭС «Фукусима-1» расположена в 250 км к северо-востоку от Токио. Французское посольство в японской столице сообщило, что в течение 10 часов город может подвергнуться радиоактивному заражению. Однако позже представители дипкорпуса опровергли эту информацию, заявив, что метеорологические расчёты оказались неверными. После чего предупреждение об опасности с сайта посольства было удалено.

По сообщениям Главного управления МЧС России, в Сахалинской области радиационный фон в норме, отклонений не выявлено ни в одном районе. Усиленное наблюдение за радиационной обстановкой продолжается, задействованы подразделения ряда ведомств. В наблюдениях принимают участие и корабли Сахалинского пограничного управления береговой охраны, в том числе те, которые находятся в настоящее время в море. Данные, полученные в результате наблюдений, каждые два часа поступают в Центр управления в кризисных ситуациях по Сахалинской области. Угрозы для населения нет. Радиационная опасность не прогнозируется.

Напомним, что 11 марта произошло землетрясение магнитудой 8,9 баллов, ставшее самым мощным за всю историю Японии. На АЭС «Фукусима-1» после землетрясения вышла из строя система охлаждения нескольких энергоблоков. В результате сложилась потенциально опасная ситуация, приведшая к выбросу радиоактивного пара в атмосферу и кратковременному повышению уровня радиации вокруг станции до 3000 микрозивертов.

15 марта 2011 года


Thousands flee after volcano begins to erupt in Colombia

Thousands of people in Pastos, Colombia have been ordered to evacuate after the Galeras Volcano began to "explosively" erupt, according to reports. According to Colombia's Institute of Geology and Mines, the eruption began at about 7:10 p.m. local time (00:10 GMT). An estimated 8,000 people have been affected.

"[There is a] large amount of ash" falling from the sky, said Eduardo Alvarado, Pastos's provincial governor, adding that those "who live in urban areas, remain in their homes." The government in the area has been put on red alert and the Red Cross has also been called in to assist in aiding refugees. So far there are no reports of injuries damages, or deaths.

Galeras, which sits on the Colombian, Ecuador border, had recently erupted in 2008, but there were no injuries or deaths. In 1993, nine people were killed in an eruption. It's the most active volcano in Colombia and has been erupting regularly for at least a million years.


Nueva erupción del volcán Galeras

Ayer a las 19:10 hs. locales (00:10 GMT del domingo), se presentó una nueva erupción de carácter explosivo del Volcán Galeras ubicado en cercanías de la ciudad de Pasto al sur del país.

Posteriormente hubo una masiva lluvia de ceniza y pérdida del fluido eléctrico en lugares alrededores del volcán, como Mapachico. A las 21:00 Hs. locales, en una cadena de radio el Gobernador de Nariño, Antonio Navarro Wolf, pidió la calma a sus ciudadanos, lo mismo hizo el alcalde de la capital de Nariño.

Hasta el momento no se reportan heridos, ni daños materiales.


Thousands more evacuated in California, USA

Nearly 330,000 people in San Diego County, California located in the United States are being ordered to evacuate after massive wildfires started to spread and grow. As a result, U.S. President George W. Bush has declared a state of emergency in California clearing the way for federal aid assistance.

"All of us across this nation are concerned for the families who have lost their homes and the many families who have been evacuated from their homes. We send the help of the federal government," said Bush in a statement to the press.

Almost 1,500 houses have been burned to ashes and fires continue to threaten nearly 60,000 more. Firefighters now fear that the fires could merge into one giant blaze if the Santa Ana Winds continue sending close to if not over 500,000 people running for safety. One person has died as a result of the fires with 42 injured. 16 of those are reported to be firefighters who were battling the blazes.

"It will not end ... until it reaches the ocean or the winds turn around," said San Diego County Fire Battalion Chief, Bruce Cartelli. At least 13 wildfires have burned more than 356,000 acres (142,400 hectares) in areas stretching from San Diego, near the border with Mexico, to Malibu, near Los Angeles.

Air Station Miramar for the U.S. Air Force is also being evacuated with the base's planes and other military equipment being transported away from the raging fires to Arizona and places far north of the fires in California.


Miles más son evacuados en California

23 de octubre de 2007Los Angeles, California —

Al menos 330.000 personas en el Condado de San Diego, California, Estados Unidos, han sido ordenadas que evacúen luego de que masivos incendios forestales comenzarán a expandirse en el área mientras su voracidad incremente. Como resultado, el Presidente George W. Bush ha declarado un estado de emergencia en California, permitiendo la ayuda federal.

"Todos en esta nación están preocupados por las familias que han perdido sus hogares y las muchas familias que han sido evacuadas de sus casas. Enviamos la ayuda del gobierno federal", dijo Bush en una declaración a al prensa.

Al menos 1.500 hogares han sido quemados a cenizas y los fuegos continúan amenazando otras 60.000. Los bomberos ahora temen que el fuego pueda convertirse en una llamarada implacable si los vientos de Santa Ana no se detienen.

Las voraces llamas ya han cobrado una víctima y han herido a otros 42, de los cuales 16 son bomberos que combatían las llamas, según lo reportado.

"No terminará [...] hasta que llegue al océano o los vientos se detengan", dijo el Jefe del Batallón de Bomberos de San Diego, Bruce Cartelli. Al menos 13 incendios han quemado más de 356.000 acres (142,000 hectáreas) en las áreas que se extienden desde San Diego, cerca de la frontera con México, hasta Malibu, cerca de Los Angeles.


Thousands of Monks in Burma to be imprisoned; Thousands more reported dead

Several reports coming out of Myanmar today suggest that thousands of monks involved in protests against the Burmese government will "be sent away" to prisons outside of the capital city of Rangoon. Other reports are stating that the number of monks killed by Burmese troops are in the thousands.

According to reports by BBC News, at least 4,000 or more monks have been arrested and questioned by government authorities in their recent crackdown on protests favoring democracy for the nation. It is reported that they are being held at the Government Technological Institute, the Kyaikkasan racing track and in a prison called Insein Prison. From these locations, they will be transported to prisons located in the extreme northern part of Burma. The monks have not been allowed to wear their robes and are in shackles, and some of them have been beaten. Many have also initiated a hunger strike, refusing to eat.

Although the Burmese government reports only 10 monks to have been killed, other reports from activists and media agencies say that the death toll is in the thousands.

Pictures have surfaced claiming that thousands of dead monks have been dumped inside the Burmese jungles. Many of the monks who managed to escape capture from troops have dressed in civilian clothing and have begun to hide inside their temples or have fled Rangoon.

"Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand," said a deserter of the Burmese army and a former intelligence officer, Hla Win.  He also states that he deserted the army when he was ordered to kill monks in what he called a "massacre of holy men."

"I decided to desert when I was ordered to raid two monasteries and force several hundred monks on to trucks. They were to be killed and their bodies dumped deep inside the jungle. I refused to participate in this," added Win.

An unnamed diplomatic official from Sweden also claims that at least 40 monks were beaten to death, then their bodies were burned.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Gambari, an envoy for the United Nations is in Burma attempting to resolve the issues there and meet with government officials, but he has been unsuccessful so far in arranging a meeting.  New reports say that the government is making Gambari wait another day before there will be the possibility of a meeting.

"He [Gambari] will come back tomorrow and he will meet with the senior general tomorrow in Naypyidaw," said an unnamed U.N. Information Ministry official. Gambari is waiting to meet with Senior General Than Shwe, the head of the junta, to urge a resolution to the violence. This is the second day the meeting has been postponed.


Massive Militärpräsenz in Rangun

Rangun (Myanmar), 01.10.2007 – Die burmesische Militärregierung will offenbar mit einer massiven Militärpräsenz in Rangun und anderen großen Städten neue Demonstrationen verhindern. Laut dem oppositionellen Radiosender „Democratic Voice of Burma“ gab es am Sonntag dennoch kleinere Protestaktionen. Beinahe zwei Wochen lang hatten buddhistische Mönche zusammen mit Bürgern gegen die Militärdiktatur demonstriert.

Laut „BBC News“ patroullieren tausende bewaffnete Soldaten in den Straßen von Rangun. „Die Presse“ spricht von 20.000 Soldaten, die zusätzlich in Rangun eingesetzt würden. Korrespondentenberichten zufolge kontrollieren die Soldaten junge Männer und suchen vor allem nach Kameras. So soll verhindert werden, dass Bilder der Proteste und des Vorgehens der Armee an die Öffentlichkeit geraten. Die meisten Internetverbindungen in Myanmar sind immer noch außer Betrieb, öffentliche Internetcafes bleiben geschlossen. Auch die Mobilfunknetze würden nicht funktionieren.

Seitdem die Militärs gewaltsam gegen Proteste vorgegangen sind, wird nur noch vereinzelt gegen das Regime protestiert. Klöster und Pagoden wurden abgeriegelt, darunter auch die Sule-Pagode, die bei den vergangenen Demonstrationen bedeutsam war. 3.000 Mönche sollen nach einem Bericht von „BBC News“ in Gefängnisse in den Außenbezirken von Rangun gebracht worden sein. Einige der Mönche sollen in den Hungerstreik getreten sein.

Staatschef Than Shwe behauptete, die Regierung habe auf die Demonstrationen mit Umsicht reagiert und so wenig Gewalt wie möglich angewandt. Nach offiziellen Angaben kamen zehn Menschen ums Leben, als die Proteste gewaltsam niedergeschlagen wurden. Diplomaten und Menschenrechtsaktivisten gehen von einer wesentlich höheren Zahl aus.

Ein offizielles Treffen zwischen Than Shwe und dem UN-Sondergesandten Ibrahim Gambari steht offenbar noch aus. Ob es bereits ein solches Treffen gegeben hat, ist unklar. Am Sonntag hatte Gambari die Oppositionspolitikerin Aung Sang Suu Kyi besucht (Wikinews berichtete). Laut einem Artikel der „Presse“ sollte Gambari vor diesem Treffen mit Than Shwe gesprochen haben. „BBC News“ meldet dagegen, Gambari hätte am Samstag in der neuen Hauptstadt Pyinmana lediglich niederrangige Regierungsvertreter getroffen. Nun soll die Unterredung laut Militärregierung am Dienstag stattfinden.

John Bolton, ehemaliger UN-Botschafter der USA, glaubt nicht, dass Gambari in Myanmar etwas erreichen kann. In einem Interview mit der britischen „BBC“ sagte Bolton: „Die wirkliche Frage ist nicht, was Herr Gambari tun kann, sondern was China tun wird.“ Als er in der Vergangenheit im UN-Sicherheitsrat Myanmar auf die Tagesordnung bringen wollte, habe China nicht einmal über das Thema sprechen wollen.

„Democratic Voice of Burma“ berichtet von einer Demonstration in Moegok, in der Mandalay Division, an der ungefähr 200 Mönche und 3.000 Bürger teilgenommen haben sollen. Die Gruppe sei von Soldaten und Polizisten geschlagen worden sein. 34 Personen sollen festgenommen worden sein. An einer anderen Demonstration sollen sich in der Magwe Division gestern 100 Mönche und 8.000 Zivilisten beteiligt haben. Dort sei der Protestmarsch vom Militär beobachtet worden sein, ein gewaltsames Vorgehen gab es hier nicht. Jedoch wurden die Teilnehmer der Proteste beim örtlichen Polizeichef und bei einem Kommandeur der Armee vorgeladen. Als in Rangun einige hundert Menschen demonstrierten, sei die Versammlung sofort mit Schlagstöcken aufgelöst worden.


Miles de monjes son detenidos en Birmania; otros miles reportados muertos

1 de octubre de 2007Rangún, Birmania —

Se han emitido varios reportes de Birmania que indican que miles de monjes involucrados en las protestas serán "enviados" a prisiones fuera de la ciudad de Rangún. Otros reportes indican que el número de monjes asesinados en Birmania trepa a los miles.

De acuerdo a reportes de la BBC, al menos 4.000 o más monjes han sido capturados y están siendo cuestionados por autoridades gubernamentales por sus recientes protestas pro-democracia en la nación. Se reportó que están siendo detenidos en el Instituto Tecnológico del Gobierno, el autódromo Kyaikkasan y en la Prisión Insein. Desde estas localidades, los detenidos serán transportados a prisiones localizadas al norte de Birmania. Se les ha prohibido a los monjes utilizar sus túnicas y presuntamente los mantienen con grilletes, mientras que algunos han sido golpeados. Varios además han comenzado una huelga de hambre, rehusándose a comer.

Aunque el gobierno de Birmania reporta que sólo 10 monjes han sido matados, otros reportes de activistas y agencias de prensa indican que la cifra de muertes llega a los miles.

Varias fotografías han surgido que declaran que miles de monjes muertos han sido desechados en las junglas birmanas. Muchos monjes que han podido escapar de la persecución se han vestido de civiles y han comenzado a esconder en sus templos o han dejado Rangún.

"Muchas personas han sido matadas en días recientes y ustedes han escuchado de eso. Los cuerpos pueden ser contados en miles", dijo un desertor del ejército birmania y un ex oficial de inteligencia, Hla Win. Además declaró que desertó el ejército cuando le ordenaron matar monjes en lo que llamó "masacre de hombres sagrados".

"Decidí desertar cuando me ordenaron hacer una incursión en dos monasterios y forzar a varios cientos de monjes a camiones. Serían matados y sus cuerpos vertidos en la jungla. Me rehusé a participar en esto", añadió Win.

Un oficial no nombrado de Suecia además alega que al menos 40 monjes fueron golpeados hasta ser matados, y sus cuerpos luego quemados.

Entre tanto, Ibrahim Gambari, un enviado de Naciones Unidas, se encuetra en Birmania a fin de resolver el conflicto y reunirse con oficiales del gobierno, pero ha fracasado en conseguir una reunión.

"Él [Gambari] volverá mañana y se reunirá con un general mañana en Naypyidaw", dijo un oficial del Ministerio de Información de la ONU. Gambaria espera para reunirse con el General Than Shwe, a la cabeza de la Junta Militar de Birmania, para alentar una resolución para detener la violencia.


Thousands of trapped miners rescued in South Africa

As many as 3,200 mine workers became trapped in the in Elandsrand mine, a gold mine in South Africa about 50 miles (80 km) west of Johannesburg in Carletonville, Gauteng, after an incident on October 3. All miners have been rescued, and none of them were injured. The mine is owned by Harmony Gold Mining Corporation.

The mining company says that a lift electrical cable broke on a basket that was carrying miners, trapping thousands at least 2,200 meters (1.3 miles) below the earth's surface. Reports from MSNBC and the Guardian Unlimited say that the shaft may have collapsed when a water or air pipe burst. The rescue operation went well with no complications, with the rescue taking just under 24 hours to complete.

"They were underground when the accident happened and they were not able to surface because an electric feeder cable that is connected to the mine lift was severed," said a spokeswoman for the mining company, Amelia Soares. The snap was caused by a "fatigued" air pipe which burst and fell down the shaft damaging the "steelwork and electrical feeder cords," added Soares. "They are all in good condition."

"They are all safe. There have been no injuries or deaths," said CEO of Harmony mining, Graham Briggs who also said that the miners were previously contacted and were given "food and water."

Earlier reports had stated that Lesiba Seshoka, a spokesman with the National Union of Mineworkers, said that the miners have not been heard from for hours and that they could have been enduring temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).

"This is a terrible situation. The only exit is blocked, probably by a fall of ground," said Seshoka.

Rescue workers used a mine shaft that is next to the damaged one in an attempt to reach the trapped miners, and lifted them out, 75 at a time. There was no emergency exit in the shaft which is reported to have "not been maintained for ages," added Seshoka.

"An escape route is the most important thing and they have failed miserably. They need to ensure that the shaft is maintained. This is why we have this disaster. Our main worry is for more than 3,000 people who are underground," said National Union of Mineworkers for S. Africa chairman, Deon Boqwana.

Current reports say that "negligence" was the initial cause for the pipe burst and that there has been a history of negligence from the mine. "We suspect negligence. Because of continuous operations there is no time to make adequate checks," said the President of the Miners union, Senzeni Zokwana to reporters during a news conference.

The Elsrand mine is currently under development and has been since February 2001 when Harmony bought the mine. Officials state that the mine will remain closed for a minimum of six weeks, while an investigation is performed, and the mine is deemed safe for miners to continue working in it.

The mine is located in the Witwatersrand Basin of South Africa, which is said to be the location of the largest area of raw gold on the planet.


Rescatan a todos los trabajadores atrapados por el derrumbe de una mina en Sudáfrica

4 de octubre de 2007Carletonville, Sudáfrica —

Más de 3.200 mineros atrapados en una mina de oro en Sudáfrica fueron rescatados en una peligrosa operación nocturna; unos 2.300 ya habían sido rescatados previamente.

Entre los atrapados se encontraban 200 mujeres en el reducido espacio de la mina Elandsran, donde las temperaturas pueden alcanzar los 40 °C (unos 104 °F). Cuando fueron sacados de más de dos kilómetros bajo tierra, los mineros recibieron paquetes de alimentos. Al menos un trabajador tuvo que ser atendido por los paramédicos por mostrar síntomas de deshidratación.

No se encuentran lesionados ni peligros inmediatos para ninguno de los trabajadores de la Mina Elandsrand de la empresa Harmony Gold Mining Co., que es la quinta más grande en producción de oro a nivel mundial. Deon Boqwana, presidente regional del sindicato, dijo que los mineros atrapados tenían ventilación adecuada y mantenían contacto telefónico con las autoridades.

La compañía y el sindicato minero dijeron que se necesitaban mejores normas de seguridad en el pozo cerca de Carletonville, al suroeste de Johannesburgo. El presidente de la compañía, Patrice Motsepe, catalogó al accidente como una "llamada de atención".


Three die in crash of Canadian Search and Rescue Helicopter

A Canadian Forces CH-149 of 413 Squadron based at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia crashed while conducting a night training exercise. Killed in the incident were Sgt. Duane Brazil, 39; Master Cpl. Kirk Noel, 33; and Cpl. Trevor McDavid, 31.

The aircraft was conducting a hoist operation at 12:30 AM local time near a Canadian Coast Guard Vessel. The helicopter ditched near the ship and suffered damage to the forward fuselage but remained floating. All seven crew were recovered from the wreckage. In addition to the three killed, four others were taken to hospital. One of the injured was transported by air ambulance to Halifax for further treatment.

The CH-149 is a Canadian designation for the AgustaWestland EH101 built in Italy. Canada purchased 15 for Search and Rescue duties. This is the first fatal crash in Canadian service. The aircraft were previously grounded due to cracks in critical rotor components which were believed to be the cause of the crash of a British Merlin (EH101) in 2004.

The aircraft involved was number 149914 indicating it was the 14th of the 15 aircraft delivered (serials 149901 to 149915).


Três vítimas fatais em acidente de helicóptero no Canadá

Um helicóptero canadense CH-149 do 4130 Esquadrão de  Greenwood, Nova Escócia  caiu enquanto era feito um exercício de treinamento noturno. Três tripulantes morreram no incidente:  Duane Brazil, 39 anos; Kirk Noel, 33; e Trevor McDavid, 31 anos.

Às 0h30 a aeronave realizava uma operação de içar perto de um navio canadense da guarda-costeira. O helicóptero caiu perto do navio e sofreu alguns danos na parte dianteira da fuselagem, mas permaneceu flutuando.

Todos os sete tripulantes foram resgatados. Além dos três que morreram, outros quatro foram levados ao hospital. Um dos feridos foi transportado pela ambulância aérea até Halifax para tratamento.

CH-149 é a desginação para o helicóptero canadense da  AgustaWestland EH101, construído na Itália. O Canadá comprou 15 deles para tarefas de busca e de resgate. Este é o primeiro acidente fatal durante serviço no Canadá.

A aeronave foi objeto de investigação no passado devido a fendas em componentes críticos do rotor que foram consideradas a causa do desastre de um Merlin britânico (EH101) em 2004.


Three killed in Utah coal mine rescue

Three rescue workers at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah were killed trying to rescue six trapped miners who have been missing for over a week.

Utah's governor, Jon Huntsman, honored the dead rescuers by saying, "There's nothing more selfless than someone giving their life in pursuit of saving someone else."

Six other workers were injured in what is being called a seismic "bump." Seismologists said a similar incident happened on the day of the original August 6 cave in. A "bump" is caused by coal shooting out from the walls of a mine due to extreme pressure.

No further details were available about the official cause of the rescuers' deaths. Their identities also were not released.

All rescue efforts to find the remaining six missing miners have been called off for now. It is not known at this time if the six miners are alive or dead.


Tres muertos en el rescate a los mineros atrapados en Utah

17 de agosto de 2007Hungtington, Utah —

Tres rescatistas fallecieron en la Mina Crandall Canyon en Utah mientras trataban de rescatar a seis mineros atrapados que están desaparecidos desde hace más de una semana.

El gobernador de Utah, Jon Huntsman, honró a los muertos diciendo: "No hay nada más generoso que dar tu propia vida en el intento de salvar otra".

No hubo más detalles disponibles sobre la causa oficial de la muerte de los rescatistas. Sus identidades tampoco fueron reveladas.

Todos los esfuerzos para encontrar a los seis mineros desaparecidos han sido interrumpidos por el momento. No se sabe si aún siguen vivos.


Tiger kills handler in Shanghai zoo

A trainer at the Shanghai Zoo was bitten by a tiger and later died Saturday morning.  Reports say that the handler was found in a critical condition inside of the tiger's cage early Saturday.

The handler, 53-year-old Li Zhonglin, was cleaning the tiger's cage, and at 08:30 local time (0030 UTC) he was suddenly attacked.  Xinmin Evening News reports that witnesses saw the tiger pounce on Li and then gnaw his neck.  At around 08:40 local time (0040 UTC) veterinarians arrived at the scene and subdued the tiger.  One witness said that "Zoo staff said that the tiger didn't have anything to eat the whole day yesterday, it must have been starving."

The 10-year-old Bengal tiger has since been isolated. There are no reports of any previous incidents with this specific tiger.


Un tigre tue son dresseur au zoo de Shanghai

Un dresseur du zoo de Shanghai, en Chine, a été attaqué et tué par un tigre, hier matin. Selon le rapport, le dresseur a été trouvé à l'intérieur même de la cage, tôt le samedi.

Le dresseur, Li Zhongli, âgé de 53 ans, nettoyait la cage aux tigres, et c'est vers 8 h 30 (heure locale, 00 h 30 UTC) qu'il a été attaqué. Un témoin a annoncé avoir vu le tigre sauter sur Li et lui griffer la nuque. À 8 h 40, les vétérinaires sont arrivés et ont calmé le tigre. « Le personnel du zoo a déclaré que le tigre n'avait rien à manger depuis hier, et qu'il était certainement affamé ».

Le tigre du Bengale impliqué, âgé de 10 ans, a été isolé. Il s'agirait du premier accident avec ce fauve.


Tokyo Electric Power Company releases first figures on the extent of Fukushima leakage

Tokyo Electric Power Company, owner of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, has for the first time released figures on how much radioactive waste the facility has emitted, since being damaged by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011. Approximately 20 trillion to 40 trillion becquerels of nuclear energy has leaked since the disaster occurred, TEPCO said when releasing their data on August 5, 2013.

Hours after TEPCO made these figures public, a Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority (JNR) task force said that there is a “high possibility” that this waste has contaminated water along the coast of Miyagi, the prefecture to Fukushima's immediate north.

“Right now we have a state of emergency,” Shinji Kinjo, head of the JNR task force, said.

The release of TEPCO’s figures came just one day after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Miyagi. No serious injuries or structural damage have been reported so far. Russia Today reports that the tremor hit in approximately the same location oas the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Fukushima in 2011 — a disaster that destroyed much of the Fukushima power plant, claimed the lives of over 15,000 people and caused over 3,200 people to go missing.


Tepco bekommt havariertes Atomkraftwerk in Fukushima nicht unter Kontrolle

Fukushima (Japan), 08.08.2013 – Gestern gab das Industrieministerium in Tokio bekannt, dass wahrscheinlich schon seit zwei Jahren radioaktiv belastetes Grundwasser aus den Reaktoren des Kernkraftwerkes Fukushima Daiichi unkontrolliert in den Pazifik fließt. Täglich gelangen rund 300 Tonnen verstrahltes Wasser über Lecks aus den unterirdischen Gängen und Leitungsschächten in den Pazifischen Ozean. Der Bau eines Sperrwalls, der im Oktober 2015 fertig sein soll, werde vom Staat finanziert werden, sagte ein Sprecher der Regierung. Täglich dringen rund 400 Tonnen Grundwasser in die Gebäude der Reaktoren ein (Jahresvolumen: 150 000 Tonnen) und vermischen sich mit den 300 bis 400 Tonnen kontaminierten Wassers, mit denen die Brennstäbe gekühlt werden. 300 000 Tonnen belastetes Wasser lagern derzeit bereits in Containern und Tanks auf dem Betriebsgelände in Fukushima. In den nächsten zwei Jahren will Tepco die Kapazität auf 700 000 Tonnen erhöhen. Trotz der wiederkehrenden Sicherheitsmängel beim Betreiber Tepco soll dieser für die Beseitigung der Schäden und Dekontamination verantwortlich bleiben, allerdings jetzt mit Unterstützung des japanischen Industrieministeriums METI. Dem atomfreundlichen METI ist die Atomaufsicht in Japan unterstellt und nicht dem japanischen Umweltministerium.

Um eine unabhängige flächendeckende Erfassung der Strahlenbelastung sicherzustellen, startete nach der Harvarie von Fukushima-Daiichi mit dem Crowdsourcing-Projekt Safecast, dessen Messungen gerade die Anzahl von 10 Millionen Datensätzen überschritten haben. Die Daten werden der internationalen Öffentlichkeit über die Webseite zur Verfügung gestellt.


Toll of the phosphor accident in Ukraine still rising

Between 143 and 152 people have now been hospitalized in the wake of Monday's train derailment near Lviv, Ukraine, and subsequent phosporous cloud. According to the Ukrainian Healthcare Ministry's spokesperson, Igor Gerych, 43 of the injured are children, 13 are firemen and three are medical personnel. None are considered to be in mortal danger, yet some cases remain at medium risk level.

Nearly 400 people are involved with the clean-up operations. Among them are military specialists for chemical warfare. The Ukrainian Army alert state was raised to “high readiness” state on Tuesday, when the scale of the accident became clear. 27 medical brigades, 13 consultants and seven specialists are inspecting the surrounding inhabited areas.

Two of the fifteen phosphor containers that were involved in the accident have been raised and put on new transports; nine of them need more work to treat leaking and damaged areas. All containers are to be transported to a more secure location by Saturday.

The situation on the ground appears to be confusing. Political TV channel, Kanal 5, reports that the village closest to the accident, Ozhidovo, is still requesting volunteers to send medicines and water, as they do not have any. Journalists of three TV channels (Inter, Novyj Kanal, ICTV) needed medical care themselves after being in the village.

TV channel, UT-1 reports this evening that the Ukranian President, Viktor Yushchenko, has called an urgent meeting of the National Security Council.

The accident appears to be likely to become a topic of contention in the long-standing rivalry between the President and the Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Yesterday, the President publicly criticized the government’s work.

Politicization of the disaster is likely to be the main reason behind the extreme differences among the versions of the Ukrainian media. Some declared the accident “ended” a few hours after it occurred, while others are still making alarming reports.

On July 18, the Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) of the European Commission reportedly offered EU assistance to the Ukrainian government. The same sources say that Ukraine has not officially requested the help. Without a formal request, EU assistance cannot begin.

On the same date, NATO Spokesman in Brussels, Mr. James Appathurai, is reported by Podrobnosti to have declared that the Alliance is following the situation, and that NATO has not received any request for help from the Ukraine, either.


Los hospitalizados por el accidente en Ucrania en alza

Entre 143 y 152 personas han sido hospitalizadas a causa del descarrilamiento de tren cerca de Lvivi, en Ucrania, y su subsecuente nube de fósforo. De acuerdo a Igor Gerych, un portavoz de del Ministerio de Salud de Ucrania, 43 de ellos son niños, 13 son bomberos y otros 3 personal médico. No se considera que ninguno esté en peligro mortal, aunque aún así algunos casos se manteniente en riesgo medio.

Al menos 400 personas están involucradas en las operaciones de limpieza. La alerta de estado del Ejército de Ucrania fue aumentada a un estado de "muy alerta" el martes, cuando la escala del accidente se hizo clara. 27 brigadas médicas, 13 consultantes y especialistas están inspeccionando el resto de las áreas habitadas cercanas.

Dos de los quince contenedores de fósforo que estaban involucrado en el accidente han sido tomado y puestos en nuevos transportes, nueve de ellos necesitan más trabajo para evitar derrames. Todos los contenedores serán transportadas a un área más segura el sábado.

La situación en tierra es confusa. El canal político Kanal 5 reporta que la ciudad más cercana al accidente, Ozhidobo, aún pide voluntarios para que se envíen medicinas y agua, ya que carecen de las mismas. Periodistas de tres canales de televisión, Inter, Novyj Kanal y ICTV necesitaron tratamiento médico necesitaron atención médica después de estar en el poblado.

El canal UT-1 reportó que el Presidente de Ucrania, Víktor Yúshchenko, ha llamado a una reunión urgente del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional

El accidente será un tópico en la rivalidad entre el Presidente y el Primer Ministro, Víctor Yanukóvich. Ayer, el Presidente criticó públicamente el trabajo del gobierno.

La politización del desastre es posiblemente la razón detrás las distintas versiones reportadas por los medios ucranianos. Algunas han reportado que el accidente "ha terminado" poco después de que ocurriera, mientras que otros aún continúan emitiendo reportes de alarma.

El 18 de julio, el Centro de Información y Vigilancia (MIC) de la Comisión Europea ofrecieron asistencia al gobierno ucraniano por parte de la Unión Europea. Las mismas fuentes indican que Ucrania no ha pedido ayuda oficialmente. Sin un pedido formal, la ayuda provista por la UE no podrá comenzar.

En la misma fecha, el portavoz de la OTAN en Bruselas, Mr. James Appathurai, declaró que la Alianza está siguiendo la situación, y que la OTAN no ha recibido ninguna petición de ayuda por parte de Ucrania.


Tonga enters lockdown after detecting new COVID-19 cases

Yesterday, Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced the country would go under lockdown starting today. This comes after two COVID-19 cases were detected among the workers handling foreign aid in the capital Nuku'alofa.

According to officials, another three cases of coronavirus were detected among the family members of the port workers. The island nation was largely unaffected by COVID-19, having previously reported only one case of the virus.

Sovaleni said in an address the lockdown was necessary to "slow down and stop those who have been affected". He also terminated all boat and aircraft services between different islands to stop the spread of the virus.

The country was receiving foreign aid from different countries after being heavily affected from the recent Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami. The Tongan authorities have stressed a strict "no-contact" policy for handling foreign aid.


COVID-19-Fälle in Tonga: Das inselland wird abgeriegelt


Tonga entra em confinamento após detectar novos casos de COVID-19

Ontem, o primeiro-ministro tonganês Siaosi Sovaleni anunciou que o país entraria em confinamento a partir de hoje. Isso ocorre depois que dois casos de COVID-19 foram detectados entre os trabalhadores que lidam com ajuda externa na capital Nuku'alofa.

Segundo as autoridades, outros três casos de COVID-19 foram detectados entre familiares dos trabalhadores portuários. A nação insular não foi afetada pelo COVID-19, com apenas um único caso relatado anteriormente.

O primeiro-ministro disse em um discurso que o bloqueio era necessário para "desacelerar e parar aqueles que foram afetados". Ele também encerrou todos os serviços de barcos e aeronaves entre diferentes ilhas para impedir a propagação do vírus.

O país estava recebendo ajuda externa de diferentes países depois de ter sido fortemente afetado pela recente erupção vulcânica de Hunga Tonga e tsunami. As autoridades tonganesas enfatizaram uma política rígida de "sem contato" para lidar com a ajuda externa.


Tornado hits downtown Atlanta

A tornado, spawned from a large storm, has hit the United States city of Atlanta, Georgia, causing extensive damage throughout the city.

The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday morning that it was a tornado that struck the city. After reviewing the aftermath of the storm, they classified it as an EF2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin says she is beginning to apply for federal disaster aid.

There have been no confirmed deaths, but the mayor's spokeswoman says there may be dead victims trapped within the ruins of a collapsed loft complex. The Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts are located in the historic Cabbagetown neighborhood, where at least 20 homes were destroyed. "It looks like a bomb went off, it looks like World War III," said Mahsud Olufani, who has an art studio in the neighbourhood. "It's a disaster area."

At least 27 people suffered injuries, mostly cuts and bruises. One person is reported to be in critical condition. Grady Memorial Hospital, where many of the injured were taken, had suffered some window damage but was still operating. Around 50 people have been taken to a local Red Cross shelter for displaced residents.

The tornado struck during the semifinal game of the SEC Basktetball Tournament between Mississippi State and Alabama. Play was stopped with around 2 minutes to go in overtime when heavy wind could be heard outside with rippling of the roof. Damage was done to the roof as debris fell to the floor. No injuries were reported in the Dome. "I thought it was a tornado or a terrorist attack," said Mississippi State guard Ben Hansbrough.

The storm arrived with little forewarning. A tornado warning was issued for the downtown area a few minutes before the storm hit. "Ironically, the guy behind me got a phone call saying there was a tornado warning," said Lisa Lynn, who was attending the game at the Georgia Dome. "And in two seconds, we heard the noise and things started to shake. It was creepy."

The CNN Center in downtown Atlanta was severely damaged, especially in the atrium, where the ravaged ceiling allowed water to pour in. Police closed several streets near the CNN Center because of the debris, which included power lines, billboards, and even office chairs.

The Omni Hotel, which is attached to the CNN Center, also sustained damage, with many of its windows shattered. Visitors at the hotel were evacuated to the exhibition hall at street level. "It was crazy. There was a lot of windows breaking and stuff falling," said Terrence Evans, a valet at the hotel.

At Centennial Olympic Park, located near CNN and the Omni Hotel, two Olympic torch sculptures had fallen over, and a performance pavilion was destroyed. A high-rise dorm at Georgia State University was damaged by the tornado, as evidenced by a large hole in the building's 14th floor. University students were evacuated on buses.

According to Georgia Power, more than 13,000 of their customers are currently without electricity. Crews are working to fix downed power lines, but they said it would be difficult with all the debris.

Another large storm, currently in Mississippi, is heading towards Atlanta, and is forecast to arrive around 3 p.m. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Leary said Friday's storm could be "nothing to compare with what's coming in tomorrow".

All downtown events scheduled to occur Saturday have been cancelled. This includes the city's Saint Patrick's Day parade. The remaining SEC tournament games are to be played at Georgia Tech's Alexander Memorial Coliseum, located in the undamaged midtown.


Tornado wütete in Atlanta

Atlanta (Vereinigte Staaten), 17.03.2008 – Ein Tornado hat am Freitagabend gegen 21:40 Uhr Ortszeit die Innenstadt von Atlanta im US-amerikanischen Bundesstaat Georgia und die nähere Umgebung verwüstet. Mehr als zwei Dutzend Personen wurden verletzt, vor allem durch Schnittwunden. Bei einem weiteren Tornado wurden am Samstag morgen im Polk County und im anliegenden Floyd County an der Grenze zu Alabama zwei Menschen getötet.

Das Dach des Georgia Dome, in dem zum Zeitpunkt des Ereignisses gerade ein Basketballspiel zwischen den Mannschaften der Mississippi State University und der University of Alabama stattfand, wurde beschädigt. „Ich dachte, es ist ein Tornado oder ein Terroranschlag“, äußerte sich Ben Hansbrough, einer der Spieler. Die rund 18.000 Zuschauer waren offenbar vor dem Zwischenfall nicht gewarnt worden. Das Spiel war in der Verlängerung, als es beim Stand von 64:61 angehalten wurde. Nach einer etwa einstündigen Unterbrechung gewann Mississippi State mit 69:67.

Besonders schwer hat es das historische Stadtviertel Cabbagetown getroffen, wo etwa zwanzig Wohnhäuser zerstört wurden. Das CNN Center wurde schwer in Mitleidenschaft gezogen, ebenso wie ein Studentenwohnheim der Georgia State University. Im Olympiapark wurden zwei große Statuen umgeworfen. In dem neben dem CNN-Gebäude liegenden Omni Hotel, das völlig ausgebucht war, zerbrach der Tornado viele Fenster. Durch den Sog wurden Möbelstücke und Gepäck aus den Zimmern gezogen. Die meisten Hotelgäste befanden sich zu dem Zeitpunkt außerhalb des Hotels und verfolgten die Sportveranstaltungen.

Zunächst war unklar, ob es sich um einen Tornado handelte, eine Tornadowarnung wurde erst acht Minuten vor dem Tornado ausgegeben. Die Parade zum St. Patrick’s Day am Samstag wurde abgesagt. Zum einen war ein großer Teil der Innenstadt mit Trümmern übersät, zum anderen warnte der Wetterdienst für den Tag vor weiteren Tornados und vor Hagel.

Die Zone der Zerstörung hat eine Länge von etwa zehn Kilometern und eine Breite von knapp zweihundert Metern. Sie verläuft von Nordwesten nach Südosten. In diesem Bereich wurden Autos durch die Luft gewirbelt und Dächer abgedeckt. „Es sieht aus, als sei eine Bombe losgegangen, es sieht aus wie der Dritte Weltkrieg“, sagte der Maler und Bildhauer Mahsud Olufani, dessen Studio neben den völlig zerstörten Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts liegt.

Der Sachschaden wird auf mindestens 150 bis 200 Millionen US-Dollar geschätzt. Alleine die Schäden am Kongresszentrum sollen 100 Millionen US-Dollar betragen. Georgias Gouverneur Sonny Perdue hat das betroffene Gebiet zum Katastrophengebiet erklärt. Die Bürgermeisterin von Atlanta, Shirley Franklin, hat um Bundeshilfen ersucht. Nach Angaben des Stromversorgers Georgia Power waren in der betroffenen Region etwa 19.000 Kunden ohne Strom.

Durch den National Weather Service wurde die Intensität der Windhose in die Stufe F2 der Fujita-Skala eingestuft. Weil Tornados selten in großen Städten auftreten, wird oft fälschlich angenommen, dass dies nicht möglich sei. Nach den Angaben der National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hat am 11. Mai 1953 ein Tornado in Waco, Texas 114 Personen getötet, der letzte bestätigte Tornado im Zentrum einer größeren Stadt wurde am 12. August 2004 in Jacksonville, Florida verzeichnet.


Tornado kills 19 in Florida

At least 19 people have been killed in central Florida in the city of Lady Lake and Paisley after severe storms and a tornado ripped through the cities in the middle of the night. Eleven of those killed were in Paisley and three were in Lady Lake.

The death toll is expected to rise as rescue crews resume tomorrow morning.

Volusia, Sumter, Lake and Seminole counties have all been declared a state of an emergency as dozens of houses, mobile homes and a church were destroyed. Clothes and furniture are scattered around the wrecked houses and pieces of trees are scattered about. Cars are reported to have been turned over or thrown around in the air.

"Our priority today is search and rescue," said Gov. of Florida, Charlie Crist. Rescuers are still looking through the wreckage to find survivors of those who might have been killed.

A spokeman for the emergency response team of Lake county, Chris Patton calls the damage "devastating" and worse than "hurricanes in 2004."

"We have complete devastation of homes, of businesses, religious institutions. It was unlike even perhaps the hurricanes of 2004 when we had minor roof damage, screen damage, pool damage. This is way far more devastating," said Patton.

The storms hit at about 3:15 [EST] a.m. on Friday morning. At least 20,000-30,000 people are without power.


19 ofiar tornada na Florydzie

Na środkowej Florydzie wprowadzono stan wyjątkowy po potężnym tornadzie, które przetoczyło się w piątek. Zginęło razem 19 osób (13 w miasteczku Paisley, a 6 - w Lady Lake) - podał w sobotę sztab kryzysowy.

Tornado uderzyło nad ranem, wiec mało kto wiedział o zagrożeniu ktróe miało nadejść. W niektórych miasteczkach włączono syreny alarmowe. Wiele osób zostało pozbawionych dachu nad głową, następną noc spędzili w schronisku. Obecna gubernator Florydy Charlie Crist oceniła zniszczenia na dramatyczne. Wybrana przed miesiącem zwróci się do prezydenta Busha o ogłoszenie stanu klęski żywiołowej na Florydzie.

Wg wstępnych danych tornado zniszczyło 500 budynków i pochłoneło straty o wartości 80 milionów dolarów.


Tornado strikes London, injuring six

A tornado has struck Kensal Green in North West London. Up to 150 houses have been damaged, and six people were injured, one seriously. Residential roads were closed off, but most have now been re-opened. Residents have had to seek temporary accommodation. Traffic was also diverted causing disruption but has now returned to normal. The cost of the damage is estimated to be at least £20,000,000.


Tornado durchquerte London

London (Vereinigtes Königreich), 10.12.2006 – Gegen 11:00 Uhr Ortszeit durchquerte am Donnerstag ein Tornado den Nordwesten Londons. Dabei wurden Dächer abgedeckt und Fenster zerstört, teilweise stürzten sogar Giebelwände ein. Vereinzelt wurden Bäume entwurzelt und einige Meter weit geworfen, etliche Autos erlitten einen Totalschaden. Von umherfliegenden Trümmerteilen wurde ein Mann schwer am Kopf getroffen, weitere fünf Personen erlitten nur leichte Verletzungen.


Tornado touches down in Joplin, Missouri

A tornado touched down yesterday in Joplin, Missouri, causing widespread damage.  At least 89 were killed.

The path of the tornado was reported to be from one half to three quarters of a mile wide.  City spokeswoman Lynn Onstot estimated the path to be nearly four miles long; Jasper County emergency management director Keith Stammer put its length around six miles.

Witnesses described entire blocks of buildings destroyed.  Steve Runnels of the National Weather Service said "We have reports of significant structural damage to strong buildings. Automobiles have been flipped, bark was stripped off trees."

Among the properties damaged was a local hospital, St. John's Regional Medical Center.  Some patients were hurt, and all were evacuated to other regional hospitals.  The local high school, Joplin High School, was also hit.  Describing the damage, its principal, Kerry Sachetta, said "You see pictures of World War II, the devastation and all that with the bombing. That's really what it looked like. I couldn't even make out the side of the building."

Joplin has a population of about 50,000.

President Barack Obama has ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support state and local efforts in response and recovery.  He issued a statement with condolences to the families of victims.


Tornádo udeřilo na Missouri, ve městě Joplin zabilo devět desítek lidí

Tornádo zasáhlo včera město Joplin v americkém státě Missouri a způsobilo rozsáhlé škody. Nejméně 89 lidí přišlo o život.

Stopa tornáda byla široká zhruba jednu míli (více než 1,5 kilometru). Mluvčí radnice Lynn Onstotová odhadla, že délka zasažené oblasti je téměř čtyři míle (asi šest kilometrů); ředitel krizového managementu okresu Jasper Keith Stammer ji odhadoval zhruba o polovinu delší.

Svědci popsali, že jsou zničené celé bloky budov. Steve Runnels z meteorologické služby National Weather Service řekl: „Máme hlášené významné škody i u pevných budov. Vítr převracel automobily a strhával kůru ze stromů.“

Mezi poškozenými zařízeními je i místní nemocnice, Regionální zdravotnické zařízení sv. Jana. Někteří pacienti byli zraněni, všichni museli být evakuováni do jiných nemocnic. Střední škola Joplin High School byla rovněž zasažena. „Vidíte tu obraz druhé světové války, devastace a to všechno jako po bombardování. Tak to tu opravdu vypadá,“ řekl její ředitel Kerry Sachetta.

Ve městě žije zhruba 50 tisíc lidí.

Prezident Barack Obama nařídil, aby Federální agentura pro krizový management FEMA vynaložila síly na podporu státního a místního úsilí o obnovu. Zároveň vyjádřil soustrast rodinám pozůstalým po obětech neštěstí.