I don't know what you thought you saw but it was not the reactor vessel. Based on the latest reports on radiation levels there is no way the damage was even close to the level you are indicating. Frankly if the explosion left the steel framework it wasn't anywhere near powerful enough to lift or damage the reactor vessel.

Right now the few facts that we have are consistent with a cooling system problem in the reactors with at least some damage to the reactor cores. The explosions were all most likely vented hydrogen gas which further indicates at least some of core material is getting too hot. They aren't talking much about radiation levels but it sounds like things have dropped off quite a bit. Yesterday there were credible reports of monitors reading 1000 mSv and today they are reporting reading around 50 mSv. That is a pretty clear indication that the reactor vessels are intact and matches the statements from TEPCO and the government.

The press hypes things enough, we don't need to help them with selling fear.

-Eric