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Saturday, Mar 12, 2011 6:09 PM UTC

3 evacuees near Japan nuclear plant exposed to radiation

The three individuals evacuated via helicopter were reportedly showing no signs of illness from the radiation

By and

Topics: Japan Earthquake, Nuclear Power, Earthquakes, Japan,

3 evacuees near Japan nuclear plant exposed to radiationA man and woman seek information about the safety of relatives at an evacuation center at Rikuzentakada, northeastern Japan, on Saturday March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING ALLOWED IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE(Credit: AP)

An official says three people being evacuated from an area near a quake-damaged Japanese nuclear plant have been exposed to radiation.

The Fukushima prefectural disaster official confirmed their exposure but said they showed no signs of illness.

A blast Saturday at the nuclear plant blew off the walls and roof.

Yoshinori Baba says the three were in a group of evacuees who had waited in a school yard to be picked up by a helicopter.

Officials say the plant has released some radiation because of a cooling problem since Friday’s massive quake. They say residents are being evacuated from a 12-mile (20-kilometer) radius as a precaution.

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