TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- The Japanese Transport Ministry on Tuesday imposed a no-fly zone near the quake-hit Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant, a ministry spokesperson said.

The Ministry said it has imposed a 30-kilometer (18-mile) no-fly zone near the troubled nuclear power plant, which was damaged last week when an enormous 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan, unleashing a destructive tsunami.

The announcement came hours after an explosion occurred at the number 2 reactor of the plant, pushing radiation levels around the plant to eight times the legal limit for exposure in one year. The radiation level later dropped.

The no-fly zone does not apply for aircraft which are involved in rescue operations or which are delivering aid to quake-hit areas.

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