Mianyang Nuclear Lab

On May 16, 2008, four days after China's massive earthquake, the Minister of Environmental Protection Zhou Shengxian activated a precautionary alert to the public against possible radiation leaks from the nuclear weapons research laboratory and storage facility in Mianyang, which is in the disaster area.

Scientists were evacuated from the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) in Mianyang after the alert was issued.

China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corp reported that several facilities in Sichuan were damaged, but there was no mention of any radiation leaks. Six employees in the proximity were killed during the earthquake.

Fast Facts

1. Built in 1960s
2. CAEP employs 20,000 employees, 8,000 technical staff
3. Includes 12 institutes throughout Mianyang, Sichuan province
4. Area is home to nuclear weapons, but not nuclear power sites
5. The Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics in Mianyang is primary design lab for nuclear weapons
6. Mianyang is on the nothern tip of the Chengdu area
7. Key facilities include high-density and high-temperature plasma physics lab, thermal-neutron experimental reactor; various accelerators

China Earthquake

On May 11, 2008 a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck northwest of Chengdu, China killing over 19,000 people, and leaving 30,000 sill unaccounted for. The death toll has not been fully calculated, and is expected to rise above 50,000.

Tremors were widespread and felt throughout Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taipei and even in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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