Japan earthquake: tens of thousands missing as full devastation emerges

[jpak]

Source: The Telegraph UK

Fears were compounded by a massive explosion on Saturday morning at a nuclear reactor, 160 miles north-east of Tokyo.

Seawater was being pumped into the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in an attempt to cool the radioactive core, while 90,000 people were evacuated from within a 12-mile radius.

Local authorities reported that almost 10,000 people – out of a population of 17,000 – were missing from the fishing port of Minamisanriku, which was engulfed by huge waves that swept inland for six miles. The earthquake was so powerful that Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said the Earth's axis shifted 9.8in <25cm>. The US Geological Survey said the main island of Japan had moved 7.8ft <2.4m>.

David Warren, the UK's ambassador to Japan, said hundreds of Britons were still unaccounted for but officials were frantically trying "to make contact with British people who may have been caught up in this terrible event".

<more>

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8378631/Japan-earthquake-tens-of-thousands-missing-as-full-devastation-emerges.html

[uppityperson]

1. k&r. I am hoping this is not like the Indian Ocean tsunami where every time I check the #s rose and

multiplied.

[Truth2Tell]

2. Video of Minamisanriku...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JVpy0L5z7s

[Baclava]

3. I can believe it - cities washed out to sea

A large ship sits among rubble after it was swept by a tsunami to the city center of Kesennuma, northeastern Japan, (AP Photo/Kyodo News)


A residential area affected by tsunami is seen in Soma, Fukushima, northern Japan


Buildings are covered with mud in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan


Minamisanriku town is submerged after Friday's strong earthquake-triggered tsunami in Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan


White smokes rise from still burning house in Yamadamachi in Iwate Prefecture (state), northern Japan


Vessels lie in the rubble in Ofunato, Iwate prefecture, northern Japan

[calimary]

6. Un-freakin'-believable.

Un-freakin'-believable.

These photos just blow my mind.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. Japan feels more like Job?.. ..between this and the failed nuclear reactors......how much more?

[Auntie Bush]

10. SICKENING! And where are all the people? Haven't seen any dead or alive!

Could all those people in the villages have evacuated within the 15 minute warning? I doubt it! I believe probably hundreds of thousands of people have been killed. :cry:

[Baclava]

13. '60 year old japanese man rescued 15km from the coast after 2 days out in the Pacific ocean'

TOKYO - A JAPANESE man who was swept 15 kilometres out to sea by Japan's deadly tsunami was plucked to safety on Sunday after being spotted clinging to a piece of wreckage, officials said.


Minamisoma

A Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer rescued 60-year-old Hiromitsu Shinkawa after discovering him floating on a piece of roof in waters off Fukushima Prefecture, two days after the disaster struck.

The man, from the city of Minamisoma which has been virtually obliterated, was swept out along with his house after the massive tsunami tore into Japan's north-east following a 8.9-magnitude earthquake on Friday. He is conscious and in 'good condition' after his rescue which took place around 12:40 pm (0340 GMT, 11.40am Singapore time), ministry officials said, adding that he was transported to hospital by helicopter.

'I ran away after learning that the tsunami was coming,' Shinkawa told rescuers according to Jiji Press. But I turned back to pick up something at home, when I was washed away. I was rescued while I was hanging to the roof from my house.'

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_644700.html

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[glinda]

5. This is so heartbreaking.

[PaDUer]

7. I can't imagine...

what those who evacuated in time are thinking and those who are safe must be in a state of shock.

All these earthquakes all of a sudden, one after another..I've wondered so many times if they're man-made?

[glinda]

9. In part I am sure. We have contributed so many factors to all of the problems.

[Duppers]

11. A 8.9 quake man-made?!! LOL.

Yeah, sure, humans are capable of moving tectonic plates!!!!

:crazy:



Science should be required as much as any social studies: four years of English required in h.s., then four years of science education should be required too.

[PaulaFarrell]

12. maybe not 8.9 but what about 7.9?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/4434400/Chinese-earthquake-may-have-been-man-made-say-scientists.html
Chinese earthquake may have been man-made, say scientists


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/sep/08/climatechange
Melting ice cap triggering earthquakes


http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/06/top-5-ways-that/#
Top 5 Ways to Cause a Man-Made Earthquake