Japan Earthquake & Tsunami 2011 ; My hearts and Thoughts be with you

My heart goes out to Japan in this time of tragic disaster. Please hang in there Japan as I believe you do, and may God be with you and all the other countries who will surely suffer the tsunami in its wake. All warmest condolences to the people of Japan, especially, Mr. Hiroyuki Kamiakito, Mrs. Miyuki Kamiakito, Ayaha, Ritsuki, Mr. Miura Shindhoh, Mr. Hiroyuki Koike, Pulau president & staffs.
In the deepest sorrow with all of you, people of Japan
- Salim - Trisni - Aisha -



Tsunami follows quake in northern Japan

Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, unleashing a four-metrer tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicentre.

There were reports of injuries in Tokyo and coastal areas.

In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed massive damage from the tsunami, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma City in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.

People stand outdoors after evacuating from nearby buildings in Tokyo's financial district. People stand outdoors after evacuating from nearby buildings in Tokyo's financial district. Toru Hanai/Reuters Officials were trying to assess damage, injuries and deaths from the quake but had no immediate details.

The quake that struck at 2:46 p.m. local time was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9.

The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. National broadcaster NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, about 125 kilometres off the eastern coast, the agency said.

The area is 380 kilometres northeast of Tokyo.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.

In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.

Footage on NHK from their Sendai office showed employees stumbling around and books and papers crashing from desks.

Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.

Thirty minutes after the quake, tall buildings were still swaying in Tokyo and mobile phone networks were not working.

Japan's coast guard has set up task force and officials are standing by for emergency contingencies, coast guard official Yosuke Oi said.

"I'm afraid we'll soon find out about damages, since the quake was so strong," he said

News Source: www.cbc.ca
Image Source: www.jma.go.jp