Earthquake-hit nuclear power plant in Japan malfunctions

A total of 50 cases of malfunctioning have been discovered at a nuclear power plant hit by an earthquake in northern Japan, a news report said Tuesday.

Cases included fires, water and oil leaks at the plant triggered by Monday's magnitude-6.6 quake, and pipes knocked out of place, Kyodo News agency reported, quoting the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co.

TEPCO officials could not immediately confirm the report.

The Kariwa nuclear power plant at Kashiwazaki city, near the epicenter, is the world's largest in terms of power output capacity.