IAEA team starts inspection of Onagawa nuclear plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday started an inspection of the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture, which was relatively undamaged by the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit the area in March last year. A 20-member delegation led by Sujit Samaddar, head of the IAEA's International Seismic Safety Center, will check the damage to facilities and equipment at Tohoku Electric Power Co. plant, whose three reactors automatically shut down when the disaster struck. During its inspection through Aug. 11, the IAEA team will also analyze the plant's operation data and interview workers about how they stabilized the reactors so the agency can share its findings with member countries and help them compile safety measures.