Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio: Brian Williams) The nuclear scare following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan noted; map shown of nuclear power sites; photos shown of explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

(Tokyo: Robert Bazell) The critical situation at the Fukushima plant featured; details given about the condition of the reactors, the effort to cool them and the diversion of the USS Ronald Reagan due to the risk of radiation; diagrams and satellite photos shown. [Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center Philip WHITE†- notes the government and the power company need to be honest but not panic people.]

(Studio: Brian Williams) Live in-studio interview held with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace physicist James Acton about the nuclear danger; diagram shown of wind movement. [ACTON – comments on the radiation threat for the US; talks about the race to cool the reactors; comments on Japan’s preparedness.]

(Sendai: Lester Holt) The aftermath of the disaster featured; scenes shown of the destruction in Sendai, emergency crews carrying bodies, the water rushing in, survivors, collapsed roads, foreign aid workers; details given about the lack of essentials, the transportation problems and the economic impact. [NBC’s Ian WILLIAMS – comments on the devastation in Natori.]

(Studio: Brian Williams) Before and after satellite photos shown of the town of Minamisanriku.

(Minamisanriku: Ann Curry) The search for the missing featured; home video shown of the tsunami as it struck; scenes shown of people looking for loved ones; details given about the discovery of missing American Canon Purdy††. [Purdy’s FAMILY – reacts.] Photo of a baby that was found by a soldier shown. How ordinary citizens will find their loved ones discussed.