Vast devastation, search for survivors after Japan quake More than 1,000 feared dead in northeast — most from the tsunami that followed record 8.9 temblor
Key details:
•Some residents rescued after spending night atop building •Emergencies at nuclear reactors as cooling fails •200 to 300 bodies found in one coastal city after tsunami •At least 90 fires in northeast Japan •More than 100 aftershocks TOKYO — A day after the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Japan struck the northeast coast, unleashing a 23-foot tsunami that swept hundreds to their deaths and washed away buildings, rescuers fanned out Saturday to search for survivors and victims.
The death toll from Friday's massive magnitude 8.9 quake stood at more than 200, but an untold number of bodies were believed to be lying in the rubble and debris.
"Unfortunately, we must be prepared for the number to rise greatly," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters Saturday.
Japanese media quoted local officials as saying the death toll was expected to top 1,000 as authorities tried to reach the hardest-hit areas.
After dawn Saturday, the scale of destruction became clearer.
Aerial scenes of the town of Ofunato showed homes and warehouses in ruins. Sludge and high water spread over acres of land, with people seeking refuge on roofs of partially submerged buildings. At one school, a large white "SOS" had been spelled out in English.
The earthquake that struck off the northeastern shore ranked as the fifth-largest earthquake in the world since 1900 and was nearly 8,000 times stronger than one that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month, scientists said.
Edano said an initial assessment found "enormous damage," adding that the Defense Ministry was sending troops to the hardest-hit region.
Advertise | AdChoicesThe official casualty toll midday Saturday was 398 dead, 805 missing and 1,028 injured, although police said 200-300 bodies were found along the coast in Sendai, the biggest city in the area. Authorities said they weren't able to reach the area because of damage to the roads.
For more than two terrifying, seemingly endless minutes Friday afternoon, the quake shook apart homes and buildings, cracked open highways and unnerved even those who have learned to live with swaying skyscrapers. Then came the devastating tsunami that washed far inland over fields and smashed towns.
I keep seeing the videos after the earthquake and Tsunami and I keep thinking Godzilla is going to rise up from the ocean,,,,it's sureal looking at it on TV, I can ONLY imagine actually living there......just AMAZINGLY SCARY.....AMAZING......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
The question is.........why would a government build nuclear plants on a highly/likely earthquake/tsunami prone area?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I woke up this morning and over breakfast watched more of the news.
Heard on one news show it said it moved Japan a couple of meters. I am not sure what that really means. I can only imagination but if it really means what I think it does oh my god. Keep in mind I only heard that on one news station. Can't recall which one but if it was FOX then maybe there is nothing to it.
Then I started to think about everything... OMG and earthquakes just keep happening.
The question is.........why would a government build nuclear plants on a highly/likely earthquake/tsunami prone area?
You would be surprised where they are built in California. One news show had a map up of where all the plants are in Japan. It looked like 85% are on coast lines. I guess because they are close to water for cooling
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."
AMAZING!!!! JUST AMAZING.....we are that small......WOW!!! ...... who needs to worry about terrorists or hate crimes--that rhetoric is just a diversion
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I just heard on the news that there was an explosion at one of the other reactors and the core is exposed!!
This is a global devastation!!
Full prayers to the Japanese!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Volcano in southern Japan resumes eruptions TOKYO — The weather agency says a volcano in southern Japan is spewing ash and rock again as the country struggles with the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in the north.
The Meteorological Agency issued a warning Sunday saying that Shinmoedake volcano resumed activity after a couple of quiet weeks.
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