[ChuckMcM]

We have different definitions of "difficult" I suspect.

The Thorium fuel cycle produces U232, that stuff kills at a distance, through walls. What that means is that there are a number of scenarios, one of which Fukishima just went through, where the core gets uncovered and rather than leaking Cesium it shoots gamma rays everywhere killing anything trying to get near it. That is not the case with the U238 fuel cycle.

Not saying it can't be dealt with, just saying its different, and by being different it is dangerous in different ways.

[KitemanSA]

"The Thorium fuel produces U232..." Yup, which is one of its nicest features. It means that the U233 is unlikely to be used for weapons. And since it never leaves the well shielded containment area in a LFTR, there is no hazard.

If the kettle is breached in the LFTR, the salt will probably just condense on any small break and seal it. If the break is large, the salt drains into a drain tank which is still in the shielded containment volume. No worries, mate! Oh, and since there is no significant pressure and no volatile chemicals like liquid sodium, there are no forces trying to disperse the materials. Inherently MUCH safer than any PWR or LMFR.