Global sell-off continues after Japan blast

Updated: Global stock markets fell sharply on Tuesday as investor panic spreads following a third explosion at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The blast sparked fears of nuclear disaster in Japan, with government officials earlier saying radiation from the plant had reached harmful levels. However, a spokesperson says levels have now fallen after a fire was extinguished at the site, reports the BBC. Investors across the world dumped stock on Tuesday amid the uncertainty, with Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average losing more than 1,000 points, or 10.6%. In New York, the Dow Jones opened 2.4% lower before recovering slightly and was sitting at 11,775, a drop of 1.8%, shortly into trading. London's leading index was 3% down a...