>> this is "bbc world news." funding for this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news."

>> the fire at the japanese nuclear plant has said to be under control. fears of further radiation leaks continue. with more than half a million people still living in shelters our correspondents report on the humanitarian aftermath. >> it may be something new to fear. radiation. you cannot see it or hear it coming. >> the exodus from the earthquake zone. many facing an uncertain future. welcome to "bbc world news," broadcast in the u.k. and around the globe. as libyan rebels struggled to hold their ground against government troops, britain and france called for a no-fly zone. tensions running high and two

protest -- teo protesters killed in bahrain as they declare a state of emergency. >> the japanese government says a fire at the nuclear reactive plant is now under control. the fire was the second in two days. seawater is being pumped through to cool them and the plants [unintelligible] the plant has already been hit by four explosion's figuring a potential health threat. let's be to our correspondent in tokyo. this second fire now has been extinguished. can you bring us up-to-date on

this? >> the power companies told them the fire went out. it started at 5:45 this morning. this has been the reactor number four. it was not operating at a time the earthquake and tsunami -- it is where fuel rods are kept in a cooling tank. officials say the water was boiling. what is being discussed by officials now this they are dropping boric acid from helicopters into that reactor. there are holes in the roof. >> talk to us about the fear of radiation contamination. people must be scared. >> the prime minister has said people within 20 kilometers should evacuate.

people living within 30 kilometers should stay indoors and seal themselves in. in tokyo people are concerned. we are more than 200 kilometers south of the plant. you can see the traffic is thinner on the streets. people have been buying up food. foreigners have been leaving through the airport's. there are some signs local people are leaving, too. >> the japanese markets are trading for the second time since this tragedy. it looks like the nikkei is doing better than yesterday. >> it has been up by 5% today. that follows two days of plunges. the bank of japan said it will inject an extra $3.5 trillion into the bank's. their aim is to keep the economy stable.

>> thank you very much. even before details emerged of the latest fire, a team of 34 experts was on its way to japan to assess the reactors and advise on containing radiation leaks. our correspondent has been given this analysis. >> day after day new threats emerge. multiple explosions, a scene so hazardous only 50 workers are left on site to try to bring things under control. here is what we think is happening. reactor one is -- there has probably been a partial melting inside. reactor two is the most worrying with a potential breach. the first possible damage to any

reactors. this device handles excess pressure may have been breached. reactor three is also in trouble with an explosion and maybe a partial meltdown. high-level radiation has been measured nearby. reactor four poses a threat as well. in a tank a fire somehow started. that will also be another source of leaking radiation. this crisis has been tackled by a reduced work force. they are having trouble with the pumps that bring in water. cooling the reactor is down is the key task. to what extent is the next 48 hours critical? >> they are critical because if they can keep calling within the core, then the chances are the

fuel will not degrade any further. >> but what if it fails? this is the emergency center. the risk is there will be a bigger radioactive leak. there are doubts about the power company's ability to cope. american experts are on their way. >> our focus on helping in any way we can to help the government and power company contain and stop the leaking. >> no one knows how bad things are. radiation monitors showed levels serging and falling. >> we can get some more analysis on this because joining me from new york is a nuclear expert. before we can into the pros and cons of nuclear energy give me

your assessment of what is happening. >> this is obviously a dangerous situation. it is not over by any means. time is on your side here. as long as they can hold the situation stable it will progressively improved. but the workers are doing a heroic job. some are being exposed to high levels of radiation. you have to respect what they are doing. >> they are working in a dangerous environment. we keep seeing fire breaking out. this must be a grave concern? >> sure, the uncovering of the fuel rods is a very dangerous situation. i think what happened is they

lost track of that while they were fighting the other reactors. that is a very dangerous situation. >> they are talking about spraying water and acid. how will that help contain this situation? >> you just want to get any liquid in their that can conduct heat away from the fuel rod. with the problems with the circulatory system there seems to be some blockage. the acid may be there to eat away whatever is causing the blockage. >> what about the fear of radiation? this is paramount for people who don't even live closely to the power plant. >> there has been stories that people in america are starting to get worried is -- will it hit us? there should not be any concern

at all on this side of the pacific. the radiation coming out will be dissipated in the long by the time they ever reach america. the levels are not -- there is some misunderstanding about radiation. there is a constant -- and idea that this is a death ray or you will get cancer. radiation is a very mild carcinogen. within the levels people would be experiencing now, there is not a serious health concern. it is only the people who are very close to the scene who are being affected. it will probably stay that way unless there is some other unforeseen disaster. >> unfortunately we have to me that there but thank you for your insight.

four people along the japanese coast the nuclear threat adds to the challenges they face. in one city survivors not only having to cope with the aftershocks, they also fear exposure to radiation. >> amidst the devastation and destruction there is a new concern. it is carried with the rain that started falling. hidden in these drops could be another danger, tiny particles blown from the nuclear disaster that is unfolding 60 miles to the south. it is as if this place has not been battered enough already. first the earthquake and then a tsunami. now it may be something new to fear.

unlike the previous disasters, you cannot see it or hear it coming. the tsunami you could hear. it did all this. it even dumped a cargo ship money keeps side. -- cargo ship on the key side, many worry the rain could make a full year. the tsunami evacuees whose homes were destroyed are now sheltering inside. those from the nearby port are here. this woman took her children and fled as the waves approached. she has been told to stay indoors and not go out in the rain. she showed us her home. it was relatively unscathed but

with no electricity, everything still as it was when the family escaped. >> i am worried about the aftershocks. there could be another earthquake. it could all happen again. >> as for radiation, it can come down with the rain. i am worried about that. >> in the air over this city there is something ominous. the accused might be orderly. they stretch for hundreds of -- the ques might be orderly. the emergency coordinator is already struggling to cope with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. >> the biggest problem is petrol.

we don't even have enough for our rescue teams or to deliver food. >> the last thing this place needs is another disaster. the consequences could be unthinkable. >> this is "bbc world news." the libyan leader muammar gaddafi vows never to abandon his homeland and he will crush his country's enemy. the european union is reviewing the safety of its nuclear power stations in response to events in japan. germany said its holders power plants will be taken out of service for several months. the russian government announced a review of its nuclear power sector. >> this morning the german chancellor announced seven of the 17 nuclear power stations will be shut down for three

months. the remaining 10 will be tested for safety. the plants that went into operation will be shut down with a moratorium. >> the opposition immediately accused her of trying to gain political advantage. local elections will be under way in the german area. after a meeting of -- they went even further than angela merkel. they suggested europe should consider a nuclear-free future and all reactors should be given a stress test to ensure they are safe. >> this is a reassessment of all potential risks in the wake of what has happened in japan with the earthquakes and tsunamis.

>> such remarks will not go down that well in france which process itself on nuclear safety and relies on nuclear power for 80% of its needs. one manufacturer insisted there reactors would not release radioactivity. there appears to be growing pressure for a nuclear rethink or a pause for thought. >> this is "bbc world news." a fire at the nuclear plant is said to be under control. fears of radiation leaks continue. with more than half a million people living in temporary posh shelters, there is much concern over radiation levels. britain and france have tabled a

resolution at the un security council which would impose a no- fly zone on the country. there has been another day of fierce fighting between colonel gaddafi's forces. he has been seen on television promising reporters the rebellion will the crash. >> more defiance from muammar gaddafi as fighting continues to rage in different parts of his country. his message was strident. calling opponents traders and rats, he vowed to destroy them. >> if it was a conspiracy we are determined to defeat it. if it was internal, we are determined to defeat it. we are determined to crush the enemies. >> it is these people who are in the firing line. this is the east of the country. the last major rebel outpost

before bengazi. these pictures were film before forces retook the city on tuesday. the rebels paling in comparison to the forces deployed against them. it is stopping those forces that has proved elusive for the rebels and for the world's leaders. at the un, britain and france have been pushing for a no-fly zone. >> and establishment of a no-fly zone would have a deep effect on the gaddafi regime not to fly its airplanes to attack civilian area. >> while that may be the hope, countries like china and germany had expressed serious reservations. with the forces on the outskirts

of the city, the window of opportunity for the un to act may have already closed. >> one day after troops from saudi arabia were invited in, bahrain has declared a state of emergency. thousands of demonstrators marched and two people died. >> this is the city of fear and barricades. this tiny kingdom was meant to host the grand prix this month. some neighborhoods it is impossible to drive to the end of the street. the saudi forces were meant to diffuse tensions but it has had the opposite effect. fear has risen dramatically with the arrival of forces but the protesters appeared undaunted by

the declaration of a state of emergency. >> these young men are the majority of the population in this country. they are the main force behind weeks of protests. now they have set up neighborhood protection groups. >> [unintelligible] i would spill my blood for my country and my children. >> earlier in the day state run television announce the army was charged with taking all necessary measures to insure peace and security while the king was busy discussing problems with neighbors in the gulf. >> this behavior will not go unpunished. i call on all citizens to be calm. cooperate with the security forces said they can achieve their mission.

>> at the hospital, casualty's being rushed in. an ambulance was shot up in a suburb. inside, they struggle to cope. this man was wounded by shotgun pellets and thai live fire. >> they want to shut your math by killing you -- shut your mouth. >> [unintelligible] they shot the ambulance corps. they are preventing medical aid from reaching the people. >> there is little doubt more tears and blood will be shed. >> let's get back to our top story.

all along the japanese northeast, which -- northeast coast no longer exist. many survivors are left trying to figure out what to do next. >> as the tsunami tore down homes and swept everything away, the little village was just high up the hill to escape the surging waves. they are still in shock and unsure who is alive and dead, but there is work to be done. life is about in provision -- improvisation. there is no power and nils cell phones. it is organized and efficient. drinking water is rationed and vans bring essentials to the community center.

this man fell into the leadership role. everyone has their own jobs to do. >> we had a hundred people to feed. we have not even water clean enough to wash our faces. >> the army is starting to help them but the task is immense. there are hundreds of small villages that will need supplies for weeks. >> the priority is to help people get back to normal. we have never had anything like this before. >> this is as far as the tsunami got. everything here was destroyed as well as everything in the valley. we heard there were two people in this house who was rescued. one man was swept away. then the waves just stopped. everything beyond that was fine. this person's families home was on the right side of that line.

but debris from the waves stopped short of the back door. >> just tear it stops. -- just hear it stops. >> it was astonishing. there used to be lots of houses down there and they are all gone. the buildings from below washed up here. >> the difference between a home saved and many lives lost. life is just going to get harder. the japanese still a way of dealing with that -- for the children it is different and exciting. it is something they will never forget. neither will it be for those who lost relatives and friends. they will have to begin again.

>> lucky if you have managed to escape the chaos in japan by going abroad. we heard some troubling tales in jfk airport. >> a routine seen, international rivals at jfk airport, but there is nothing routine about the experiences of those who came from japan. they left a country scarred by catastrophe. this person was evacuated from the disaster zone. >> there was an earthquake in japan and everything fell. it was so scary. >> what happened to you? how did you get out? >> i got out with my friend because i was in school. so my parents came to pick me up. >> somehow her family managed to escape. >> we are here. [unintelligible]

you take a train and take a bus. >> for those waiting for flights back to japan, it is an unsettling time. while they have been away their country has undergone a dramatic experience. they don't know what they will be returning to. we met this woman as she was saying goodbye to her sister and mother. >> they are very anxious and worried. they are not sure what will happen. >> for japanese powers -- japanese passengers, emotions are mixed. future holds. >> you can get much more on the situation in japan by visiting our web site at bbc.com. this is "bbc world news."

>> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click-to-play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its global expertise to work for a wide range of companies.

what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles. presented by kcet los angeles.