Fukushima's Daunting Cleanup: Drone Images Reveal Reactor Damage

First-ever images from inside reactor No. 1 show significant challenges in decommissioning efforts, with critics questioning cleanup timeline.

Miniature drones have provided the first images from inside the damaged No. 1 reactor at Fukushima, showing displaced equipment and misshapen materials.
The images underscore the challenging task of decommissioning the plant, with about 880 tons of highly radioactive melted nuclear fuel remaining inside three reactors.
Officials were unable to distinguish between melted fuel and equipment without additional data, as drones could not carry dosimeters.
The drone probe aims to aid the development of technology and robots for the removal of melted debris, a crucial step in the decommissioning process.
Critics argue that the government and TEPCO's 30-40 year target for cleaning up the plant is overly optimistic, citing delays caused by technical challenges and data shortages.