Fukushima Nuclear Debris Removal Halted Due to Technical Issue

TEPCO suspends critical operation after setup error with robotic equipment; new timeline uncertain

Attempt to collect a sample of melted nuclear fuel from Fukushima's Unit 2 reactor was stopped on Thursday.
The operation was halted when workers found that pipes used to maneuver the robot were incorrectly arranged.
TEPCO has not set a new date for the resumption of the debris removal effort.
The small sample is essential for developing future decommissioning methods and technology.
The Fukushima plant's decommissioning is expected to take 30-40 years, despite criticism of this timeline.