Many people found themselves living in the exclusion zone now in place around the devastated Fukushima nuclear plant in northeastern Japan and have taken refuge in the nearby city of Koriyama.

Around 70,000 people were evacuated from the 20 kilometre zone. Some 140,000 more are within the new 30-kilometre radius.

Temporary refuges have been set up to house the evacuees. Thousands of people have been affected, of all ages and confusion reigns.

“Nuclear energy is even more frightening than the thought of a tsunami”, said one man. “No one, not the government nor any officials, is telling people what is really going on.”

Radiation levels around the plant are continuing to rise.

Japan has told the UN’s nuclear watchdog the IAEA that toxic particles are being released into the atmosphere.

Up to 400 units an hour have been reported. Experts estimate anything over 100 units an hour could be a health risk.