The quake fault running under reactor 2 at the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture is probably active, a panel from the Nuclear Regulation Authority stated in a draft report Monday, effectively condemning the two-reactor complex.

The report, compiled from the panel's search for potentially active faults at the Tsuruga plant, is a heavy blow to Japan Atomic Power Co., which may have to scrap the reactor at great cost.

"If new knowledge is obtained, the judgment could be reviewed. However, at least at this point, the fault at the plant site is highly likely an active fault that needs to be considered in terms of seismic design," the report said.