Japan's nuclear crisis has worsened with radiation levels surging at a quake-hit reactor at the Fukushima plant. Authorities on Wednesday briefly pulled out emergency workers as another fire erupted slowing the desperate efforts to avert a meltdown. The work was suspended temporarily at the plant, where an estimated 70 per cent of nuclear fuel rods have been damaged at the No.1 reactor and 33 per cent at the No.2 reactor.Struggling to deal with the impending fallout of high radiation levels, people in the quake and tsunami hit northeastern coast are also having to grapple with no electricity no water while coping with the freezing cold. Rescue operations were, meanwhile, continuing in the quake-hit region, with 80,000 Self-Defence Forces personnel and police officers being mobilised for the purpose. Officials said over 11,000 people were killed or unaccounted for, with the National Police Agency confirming 3,676 deaths in 12 prefectures.