The accident at Fukushima Daiichi was classified level 7 on the
INES scale on April 11, 2011. Level 7 is the highest level, deemed
an incident "With major release of radioactive material with
widespread health and environmental effect requiring implementation
of planned and extended countermeasures". Only Chernobyl and
Fukushima Daiichi have been rated level 7.
The accident was initially rated as level 4, and then raised to
level 5. Level 7 was set after consideration of the multiple units
involved. For more information, please see the Related Link
below.