Fukushima: removal of nuclear fuel rods from damaged reactor building begins

Workers begin to empty storage pool - but more critical removal of melted fuel from reactors themselves will be more challenging

Workers at the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have begun removing fuel rods from a storage pool near one of the three reactors that suffered meltdowns eight years ago.

The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) said on Monday that work had begun to remove the first of 566 used and unused fuel assemblies in reactor building No 3.