Huge casualty fears after Japan earthquake

• The Natori river in northern Japan is flooded over as fire rips through suburban houses

The 8.9 quake unleashed a 13-foot tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland, and warnings were issued to all countries with Pacific coastlines to be ready for it to hit them.

Experts said the tsunami wave could be higher than many small Pacific islands.

In Japan the initial official death toll was put at less than 20 but reports were fragmented as the country struggled to deal with the catastrophe.

The quake's epicentre was hundreds of miles from Tokyo but there were reports buildings had collapsed in the capital.

Elsewhere fires triggered by the quake were burning out of control up and down the coast, including one at an oil refinery.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was a magnitude 8.9, while Japan's meteorological agency measured it at 8.8.

It struck at 2.46pm local time (5.46am GMT) and was followed by more than a dozen aftershocks, including several at least 6.3, the size of the quake that struck New Zealand recently.

The quake was the largest to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago.

It was followed by at least 19 aftershocks, most of them of more than magnitude 6.0. Dozens of cities and villages along the 1,300-mile stretch of the country's eastern shore were shaken by violent tremors.

"The earthquake has caused major damage in broad areas in northern Japan," Prime Minister Naoto Kan said.

Even for a country used to earthquakes, this one was of horrific proportions.

Large fishing boats and other sea vessels rode high waves into the cities, slamming against bridges. Upturned and partially submerged vehicles were seen bobbing in the water.

Waves of muddy water swept over farmland near the city of Sendai, carrying buildings, some on fire, inland as cars attempted to drive away.

Sendai airport was inundated with vehicles and thick mud deposited over its runways. Fires spread through a section of the city.

The tsunami roared over embankments, washing cars, houses and farm equipment inland before reversing direction and carrying them out to sea. Flames shot from some of the houses, probably from burst gas pipes.

"Our initial assessment indicate that there has already been enormous damage," a government spokesman said. "We will make maximum relief effort based on that assessment."

He said the Defence Ministry was sending troops to the quake-hit region.

Have you been affected by the earthquake in Japan? Do you know someone who has been caught up in it? Contact our news desk on 0131 620 8734 or email [email protected]