Work to stabilise Japan’s stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has resumed after work was suspended due to a plume of black smoke seen coming from a reactor.

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Japan’s nuclear safety authority said two employees were taken to hospital after being exposed to radiation.

Earlier, more white smoke was seen coming from at least two of the site’s damaged reactors.

The battle to bring the plant under control and restart cooling systems almost two weeks after the massive earthquake is still critical – although power to all the plant’s reactors has reportedly been restored.

Fears of radioactive contamination in Japan remain widespread. Levels of radiation considered above healthy limits have been detected in Tokyo’s water supply causing a run on bottled water.

Stores in the capital have been running out, despite government appeals not to panic. The rush came after authorities warned the city’s 13 million residents not to give tap water to babies under one year old.