Tokyo, Mar 11 (ANI): The devastating tsunami following an 8.9 earthquake magnitude off the northeastern coast in Japan has reportedly killed over hundreds of people and injured many others.
Around 300 bodies were found in coastal town of Sendai. More than 90 persons have been confirmed dead, at least 349 are missing and the death toll is expected to rise, the telegraph reports.
Two ships are also reported to be missing with 180 persons on board.
Following the earthquake, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan had said that the country's disaster management operations have been activated to counter the after effects of earthquake-cum-tsunami.
Kan had urged citizens of the country to remain calm and asked those immediately affected to relocate to higher ground, according to local television reports. He had also promised immediate and prompt emergency aid, even as reports surfaced about a number of people missing or dead.
He confirmed that five nuclear plants in the country have shut down operations and that one oil refinery had caught fire.
The tsunami had hit the coast of northeast Japan following an 8.9 magnitude earthquake about 80 miles offshore. A second major earthquake of 7.4 magnitude was reported as aftershocks shook the region.
The U.S. Geological Survey called the 8.9 magnitude earthquake as a "mega" quake. he Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has warned Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas to be aware of Tsunami. Japan's meteorological agency warned that a tsunami as high as 20 feet could strike the coast near Miyagi prefecture, closest to the epicenter. (ANI)
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