Nuclear officials have confirmed Second explosion at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant of Japan

Japan will rely on nuclear power for about 40% of its electricity needs by 2010

Nuclear officials have confirmed that a hydrogen explosion occurred at Unit 3 of Fukushima Dai-ichi plant on Monday morning. Six people are reported to have been injured. Radiation levels have risen following the explosion however it does not appear to be a massive leak according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.

A wall of the building collapsed due to the blast, and clouds of smoke were sent into the air above the plant. Authorities believe that the reactor itself is still intact. Officials say that the explosion was probably caused by a buildup of hydrogen gas, similar to the explosion on Saturday at the same nuclear plant's No. 1 reactor.

The 600 residents who are still within 20 kilometers of the plant, despite an earlier evacuation order, have been ordered to stay indoors.

The Japan Meteorological Agency on Sunday warned that aftershocks of a magnitude of 7 or greater would occur in the next three days. Japan has suffered a triple blow of a devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. Almost 600 000 people have been evacuated in Japan over the last three days following the devastating earthquake and tsunami and more than 10000 people are believed to have died. Many shops and manufacturers, including Sony, Toshiba and Toyota have suspended operations in Tokyo and the surrounding area due to the power rationing.