New radioactive leak reported contained at Japan nuclear plant

In this Sept. 19, 2013 file photo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, third right, wearing a red helmet, is briefed about tanks containing radioactive water by Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant chief Akira Ono, fourth right, during his inspection tour to the tsunami-crippled plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, following a series of radioactive water leak from the tanks. (AP/Japan Pool, File)

TOKYO -- Highly radioactive water has overflowed from a storage tank at Japan's crippled nuclear power plant, but the operator said Thursday it did not reach the Pacific Ocean.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. said the leak involved partially treated water from early in the disaster at the plant, meaning it was more toxic than previous leaks. The cores of three reactors melted at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant in 2011 following a massive earthquake and tsunami, and radioactive water has been stored in more than 1,000 tanks.

TEPCO said about 100 tons of contaminated water overflowed through a rainwater drainage pipe, and plant workers attached a garbage bag to contain the leakage. It said the leak stopped after workers closed the valves and the water did not escape into the Pacific.