Thaindian News

Dhaka, March 16 (IANS) Panic gripped many in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh after they received text messages warning of radiation following the explosions in a Japanese nuclear reactor damaged in last week’s earthquake.

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) called the SMSes rumours and assured the people in Bangladesh that they have nothing to worry about Japan’s nuclear reactor radiation leakage.

“I know about the message. This is absolutely a rumour. People in Bangladesh do not need to worry about the radiation yet,” said Farid Uddin, chairman of BAEC.

Citing BBC News Service, one of the two messages read: “Japan government confirms radiation leak at Fukushima nuclear plant. Asian countries should take necessary precaution. If rains come, stay indoor first 24 hours, close doors and windows, wrap your neck with a piece of cloth as radiation hits thyroid first. Take extra precaution.”

The Daily Star said it did not find any such news on the BBC website.

The BBC on its website later clarified: “A fake text message warning people that radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant has leaked beyond Japan has been panicking people across Asia.”

“The SMS message, purporting to come from the BBC, has been circulating around Asian countries since Monday.”

The BBC has issued no such flash but the hoax has caused panic in the Philippines, it said.

Another text message sent to mobile phones, citing the British high commission, had similar warnings.

Authorities in Bangladesh, which has signed a deal with Russia for the construction of two nuclear power plants, said they were monitoring events in Japan closely but they would pursue their plans.

“Our reactors will be third generation and they will be able to withstand even the most powerful earthquakes,” the BAEC chairman said.

A spokesperson for the World Health Organisation in Bangladesh told the Daily Star that Bangladesh is not likely to be affected by the nuclear incident in Japan but it is too early to comment.

Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi mission in Tokyo has been asked to relocate either to Hiroshima or Nagasaki immediately for fear of radioactive leaks from exploded reactors at the Fukushima plant, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said.

The Bangladeshi mission also issued an advisory for its 12,000 expatriates to stay in safer places to avoid risk of radiation, said the minister, adding that around 6,000 have been advised to move from Tokyo, the Daily Star reported.