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Mar 12 – Other Fandom - Posted By Kei
8.9 Magnitude Earthquake and Tsunami Rock Japan (Updated)
A massive earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter Scale hit the eastern coast of Japan early Friday morning, triggering a tsunami that washed away cars and caused considerable damage along the coastline, according to reports. Another quake measuring 7.4 hit shortly after, causing more damage. The earthquake has been confirmed as the largest earthquake to ever hit the country and the 5th-largest on record for the world.
Tremors were felt as far away as Tokyo, where several fires started resulting from structural damage. Oil refineries in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, and Tokyo also caught fire in the wake of the disaster, and minor damage was caused to a coolant system at one nuclear facility. At least 900 people have been confirmed dead, with 700 injured and more confirmed missing. The death toll is now expected to rise over 1,000. 9,500 people are now listed as missing in one city alone. Airport services were terminated shortly after the quake, stranding thousands, but were restored Saturday. Train services in and around several metro areas, including Tokyo, remain down.
The most devastated area is northern Japan, where the tsunami took a heavy toll on buildings and structures there. Tsunami warnings were issued for areas along the West Coast of the United States and Hawaii, but damage from the resulting wave was negligible. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has called an emergency cabinet meeting to assess the situation there.
UPDATE: A huge explosion has occurred at a nuclear facility in Fukushima, according to reports. Video footage shows the blast erupting from the plant and emitting large plumes of smoke, which is believed to contain a small amount of radioactive material, moments afterward. An unknown number of employees have been injured. Citizens in the surrounding area have been urged to remain indoors, not drink the tap water, and wear wet cloths and masks while the situation is contained.
