Asia-Pacific

Over 1,000 feared killed by quake, tsunami

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-12 01:42

TOKYO - More than 1,000 people are feared killed by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck northeastern and eastern Japan on Friday and a massive tsunami it triggered, Kyodo news agency reported.

The massive quake triggered huge tsunami along Japan's Pacific coast, and enormous waves smashed the northern parts of the coast in particular. The tsunami has swept away houses, cars and ships, with the death toll likely to rise to over 1,000, it said.

The Miyagi prefectural police found 200 to 300 bodies in Wakabayashi Ward in the city of Sendai after a 10-meter tsunami washed the port. Also in Sendai, authorities evacuated 60,000-70, 000 people to around 200 shelters, according to the report.

And local authorities said the death toll rose to 133 and 531 others were missing in eight prefectures along the Pacific coast, local media reported, citing the police.

Main developments

Following are main developments in the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northeast Japan on Friday. 

 

- Some 3,000 residents living near a nuclear plant in Fukushima prefecture, north of Tokyo, evacuated from area. Government says no radiation leaking; evacuation is precaution after reactor cooling malfunction. 

- Quake triggers tsunami up to 10 metres (30 feet), waves sweep across farmland, sweeping away homes, crops, vehicles, triggering fires. Tsunami of 7 metres later hits northern Japan. 

- Tsunami warnings issued for the entire Pacific basin, except the mainland United States and Canada. Countries covered by the warnings included Russia, Fiji, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. 

- Alerts lifted for Australia, New Zealand and Guam. Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines also lifted tsunami warnings. 

- Fire engulfs a large waterfront area near Sendai city, TV  footage shows. One train is derailed and another missing in Miyagi prefecture, Kyodo says. 

- A ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami, Kyodo news agency reports. 

- Major fire at Chiba refinery near Tokyo. 

- Tokyo's Narita international airport resumes some outbound flights. 

- Major fire at Chiba refinery near Tokyo. 

- All Japanese ports closed and discharging operations halted, shippers report. 

- Electronics firm Sony closes six factories, Kyodo new agency reports. 

- Bank of Japan to hold policy meeting on Monday, will announce decision same day. Central bank vows to do utmost to ensure financial market stability. 

- Tokyo Stock Exchange says it plans to open for trading as normal on Monday. 

- Asian shares fall after the quake hits; European shares fall to their lowest in three months.

Aid offers pour in after Japan quake

More than 45 countries were awaiting a request from Tokyo after offering to help Japan deal with a huge earthquake and tsunami, the United Nations said on Friday.