Cleanup work resumes at damaged nuke plant

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TOKYO, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Operators of the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan say they've restarted debris removal from the facility's Number 3 reactor building.

Workers with the Tokyo Electric Power Co. resumed debris clearance after a 23-foot-long, 1,000-pound steel frame was recovered from a spent fuel pool, Asahi Shimbun reported Friday.

The steel frame had been accidentally dropped into the fuel pool Sept. 22 during an attempt at debris removal. A remote-controlled crane had begun lifting the frame but it came loose and fell into the pool, Tepco said.

Officials said they didn't believe the steel frame damaged the fuel in the pool at the facility damaged in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Debris removal is expected to be completed by March, Tepco said.