The severity level of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station crisis has been raised from 5 to the highest level of 7, Japan's government announced yesterday, putting it on the same level as the Chernobyl meltdown of 1986. Though the radiation released was one-tenth that of Chernobyl, the increase in severity was based on recent reports about the amount of radioactive iodine and cesium released. Above, officials inspect children from the evacuation area for signs of radiation.
(Flickr/Kordian)
