Japan Tsunami and Earthquake 8.9
Tokyo: Following are the main developments in the earthquake measuring 8.9 that struck northeast Japan on Friday.
-At least two people are reported dead, one hit by a collapsing wall at a Honda factory. Several people were buried in a landslide.
-Quake triggered a tsunami up to 10 metres (30 feet) high, the waves swept across farmland, sweeping away homes, crops, vehicles, and triggering fires. A tsunami of 7 metres height later hit Northern Japan. An Inn collapsed in Sendai city and many are feared buried in rubble.
-Strong aftershocks keep rocking Northern Japan.
-Tsunami warnings issued for Eastern Indonesia, Taiwan's north and east coasts.
-There has been a power cut to four million homes in and around Tokyo. There have also been fourteen fires blaze in Tokyo.
-Many sections of Tohoku expressway serving northern Japan have said to be damaged. There is a major fire at Chiba refinery near Tokyo.
-The Bullet trains to the north of the country have been stopped. The government was to dispatch 900 rescue workers to earthquake struck regions.
-The Narita airport has been closed, all flights have been halted and passengers have been evacuated. The Tokyo underground and suburban trains have also been stopped. Sendai airport in the north is flooded.
-Eight military planes scrambled to survey damage. Prime Minister Naoto Kan asks people to remain calm and orders the military to do their utmost to act. The Cabinet is set to meet. The government says that more tsunami are possible.
-The Central bank vows to do utmost to ensure financial market stability.
-Several nuclear power plants have been shut down automatically. Tepco's Fukushimi No. 1 plant had an equipment problem after the quake, but safety is ensured, officials say. At least one nuclear power station is still operating normally. Oil refineries have been shut down and a major steel plant was ablaze.
