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Reference information and guides
Nuclear Meltdowns
Documented nuclear reactor meltdown events
Showing 6 of 6 meltdowns
Japan
Date
2011-03-11
Facility
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Reactor
Units 1, 2 & 3
Description
Triggered by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, three reactor meltdowns occurred after loss of cooling power.
Casualties
1 confirmed radiation death; ~2,202 stress-related deaths from evacuation
Ukraine (USSR)
Date
1986-04-26
Facility
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
Reactor
Reactor 4
Description
Catastrophic steam explosion and fire during a safety test destroyed the reactor and released massive radioactive contamination across Europe.
Casualties
31 direct deaths; estimated 4,000–60,000 cancer deaths long-term
USA
Date
1979-03-28
Facility
Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station
Reactor
Unit 2
Description
Partial meltdown caused by equipment failure and operator error. Partial core damage released radioactive gases.
Casualties
No direct deaths; long-term health impact disputed
France
Date
1969-10-17
Facility
Saint-Laurent Nuclear Power Plant
Reactor
Unit A1
Description
Fuel channel blockage caused partial fuel meltdown; one of France's most serious nuclear accidents.
Casualties
No direct casualties
Switzerland
Date
1969-01-21
Facility
Lucens Experimental Reactor
Reactor
Lucens Reactor
Description
Loss-of-coolant accident caused partial core meltdown in an underground cavern; cavern was sealed.
Casualties
No human casualties
USA
Date
1966-10-05
Facility
Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station
Reactor
Unit 1
Description
Partial core meltdown after a zirconium plate blocked coolant flow to two fuel subassemblies.
Casualties
No casualties