Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake Friday, followed by a 4-metre tsunami on the northeast coast. The quake triggered fires and shut down trains across the country.
Widespread devastation could be seen in the wake of large tsunamis that struck dozens of cities along a 2,100-kilomete stretch of the eastern shore.
TV footage showed waves of muddy waters sweeping over farmland and the airport near the city of Sendai. Buildings were carried away and buildings were set on fire.
In Chiba prefecture, images were seen on TV of an oil refinery on fire.
Officials are still trying to assess damage, injuries and deaths.
The earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m. on Friday afternoon. It was followed by five powerful aftershocks within about an hour, the strongest measuring 7.1.
The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9, while Japan's meteorological agency measures it at 8.4.
The meteorological agency issued tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific Coast including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon and California.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan went on television and urged people to remain calm, and asked people along the coast to move to higher ground if possible, in advance of more expected tsunamis.
Kan said the quake caused "major damage in broad areas" but nuclear power plants in the area were not affected. He said he was prepared to ask foreign countries for aid, if needed.
Several quakes had hit the same northeast region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.
Dozens of fires were reported in northern prefectures of Fukushima, Sendai, Iwate and Ibaraki. Houses collapsing and landslides were also reported in Miyagi.
There appears to be no major damage in Tokyo, but trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.
NHK reported that 4 million buildings were without power in Tokyo and its suburbs.
Widespread devastation could be seen in the wake of large tsunamis that struck dozens of cities along a 2,100-kilomete stretch of the eastern shore.
TV footage showed waves of muddy waters sweeping over farmland and the airport near the city of Sendai. Buildings were carried away and buildings were set on fire.
In Chiba prefecture, images were seen on TV of an oil refinery on fire.
Officials are still trying to assess damage, injuries and deaths.
The earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m. on Friday afternoon. It was followed by five powerful aftershocks within about an hour, the strongest measuring 7.1.
The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9, while Japan's meteorological agency measures it at 8.4.
The meteorological agency issued tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific Coast including Alaska, British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon and California.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan went on television and urged people to remain calm, and asked people along the coast to move to higher ground if possible, in advance of more expected tsunamis.
Kan said the quake caused "major damage in broad areas" but nuclear power plants in the area were not affected. He said he was prepared to ask foreign countries for aid, if needed.
Several quakes had hit the same northeast region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.
Dozens of fires were reported in northern prefectures of Fukushima, Sendai, Iwate and Ibaraki. Houses collapsing and landslides were also reported in Miyagi.
There appears to be no major damage in Tokyo, but trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.
NHK reported that 4 million buildings were without power in Tokyo and its suburbs.
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