TOKYO — A suspected breach in the reactor core at one unit of a
stricken Fukushima nuclear plant could mean more serious
radioactive contamination, Japanese officials said Friday,
revealing what may prove a major setback in the mission to bring
the leaking plant under control. The uncertain situation halted
work Friday at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex, where
dozens had been working feverishly to stop the overheated plant
from leaking dangerous radiation, officials said. Suspicions of
a possible breach were raised when two workers waded into water
10,000 times more radioactive than normal and suffered skin
burns when the water splashed over their protective boots, the
Nuclear and Industry Safety Agency said. However, though damage
cannot be ruled out, the cause remained unclear, spokesman
Hidehiko Nishiyama told reporters. "It is possible there may be
damage somewhere in the reactor," he said, adding later that
there was no data suggesting there were any cracks and that a
leak in the plumbing or the v