Suspected bomb found on premises of Fukushima power plant: TEPCO

OKUMA, Fukushima -- What appears to be an undetonated bomb has been discovered on the premises of the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) announced on Aug. 10.

The device was discovered buried in the ground at a parking lot currently undergoing maintenance in the western corner of the premises at 7:30 a.m. by an excavation worker. With a length of approximately 85 centimeters and a diameter of about 15 centimeters, the cylindrical apparatus has what appears to be a stabilizer tail. It was located roughly a kilometer from the damaged No. 1 to No. 4 reactors.

The Fukushima Prefectural Police are working to confirm if the device is indeed a bomb and are considering disposal methods if it is confirmed to be an explosive. Police have cordoned off the surrounding area, but the situation has not caused any effects on the decommissioning of the plant.

U.S. forces launched an airstrike in an area around the power plant during World War II, according to the Fukushima Prefectural Archives.