Mass casualty fears after Japan hit by earthquake

Reports of mass casualties are coming in following the 8.9 magnitude quake which occurred at 2:46pm local time (05:46 GMT) today which has so far affected the Miyagi and Fukushima regions.

Sendai City, north of Tokyo, appeared to have borne much of the brunt of the tsunami.

Japanese police reported that 200 to 300 bodies had been found in Sendai, a northeastern coastal area of the country, on top of the 110 casualties already confirmed dead and 544 injued. A further 350 people are reported missing.

In the same region, a fire is engulfing a large waterfront area near the city while the coastguard are searching for a ship said to be carrying up to 100 people which was washed away by the tsunami.

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

• Earthquake-triggered tsumanis sweep shores along Iwanuma in northern Japan. Picture: AP

TV cameras captured footage of the tsunami sweeping away cars, boats and even buildings as it hit major population centres along the coast.

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

Officials said the wave could be as high as 10m (33ft) and that numerous casualties were feared.

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The quake that struck 2:46 p.m. was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later.

It struck at a depth of six miles, about 80 miles off the eastern coast. The area is 240 miles north east of Tokyo.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.

NUCLEAR INCIDENT

Meanwhile a state of emergency has been declared at a nuclear power plant in Fukushima after its cooling system suffered a mechanical failure. The Japanese government has ordered the evacuation of over 2,800 people from the area, however, the measure is only reported to be precautionary and the facility is not said to be in immediate danger.

The United States Air Force has transported coolant to aid the situation.

Incidents were reported at two other nuclear plants also but there are no reports of radiation leaks at either of them.

AFTERSHOCKS

The quake 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.

All Japanese ports have been closed and business halted in wake of the quake while the UN has announced that up to 68 international search and rescue teams are on standby to aid Japan with more than 45 countries awaiting help requests from Tokyo.

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

More than four million buildings in Tokyo were left without power in the centre and surrounding suburbs.

PACIFIC WARNING

A tsunami warning has been issued in the Philippines, Guam, Indonesia, the Pacific coast of Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the entire west coast of the United States and Canada.

Tsunami waves have hit Hawaii with Kauai being the first of the island group to be hit as the waves quicky swept through. Roadways as beaches where empty as residents and tourists were moved to the safety of refugee and community centres.

The earthquake comes just weeks after New Zealand was rocked by an earthquake.

Today's quake in Japan is reported to have been 8,000 times more powerful than the one which hit Christchurch.

TRAVEL

UK airlines have cancelled fights to Tokyo today in the aftermath of the earthquake.

British Airways did have a flight scheduled to depart for Tokyo's Hareda airport from Heathrow earlier today but this was later cancelled by the airline as the morning's events unfolded. Virgin Atlantic also cancelled its Tokyo flight.

A BA spokesman said: "We decided that we would not operate the Haneda-bound flight (BA007) as a precaution and have also cancelled our flight to Narita."

A decision as to whether or not either airline will operate flights between London and Tokyo tomorrow will be made later on today.

London-bound flights, however, from Hareda and Narita are due to land back safely in the UK today having departed before the earthquake struck.

REACTION

Her Majesty the Queen has sent a heartfelt message of sympathy to the people of Japan expressing her sadness at the "tragic loss of life" caused by the earthquake.

The message, which has been conveyed to the emperor of Japan, read: "I was saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life caused by the earthquake which has struck north east Japan today.

"Prince Philip joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to your Majesty and the people of Japan.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful disaster."

Speaking in Brussels, Prime Minister David Cameron told a press conference: "We stand ready to help in any way that we can."

Foreign Secretary William Hague has offered humanitarian assistance in the form of search and rescue teams, and while there are no reports thusfar of British casualties, the UK embassy is said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.

US president Barack Obama echoed the sentiments of the UK government by sending his condolences and reaffirming that America was ready to help its close ally in its time of need.

The US Defense Department are preparing American forces, based in the Pacific, to provide relief after the earthquake.

In a statement, Mr Obama said: "The friendship and alliance between our two nations is unshakable, and only strengthens our resolve to stand with the people of Japan as they overcome this tragedy."