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Massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami hits Japan 11 March. Severe damage
| 11 March 2011
At around 2.46pm local time an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, sending a massive tsunami though coastal regions.
The quake struck at just 10km deep and has caused severe damage and potential loss of life across the region. It has been reported felt in Beijing, over 2000km away.
A massive 6-10m high tsunami has sweep across the country, laying waste to low lying areas. Cellphone cameras provide immediate access to the drama as it unfolds.
We are seeing large tsunamis roll across the sea heading for landfall from helicopter footage. The scenes are apocolyptic, and people are being asked to escape if they can.
Here is footage of the tsunami as it sweeps through a busy city.
Here is a great overview of the disaster so far:
We will keep updating this page as new news and footage comes to hand.
Please refresh this page to see the updates as they get posted.
Update 9.03pm Local Time: 61 confirmed dead with hundreds missing over a large area.
Amazing footage of the Tsunami raging through the Sendai airport.
Update 8.40pm Local Time: Subway system are now back online in Tokyo. Major aftershocks continue to hit the country.
Update 7.33pm Local Time: Tsunami has stretched 10km inland in the Sendai, and left a large trail of destruction
Update 6.03pm Local Time: This has been reported as at least the 5th biggest earthquake recorded in Japan. The tsunami damage has impacted the region to compact the damage. Out of control fires are raging.
Update 5.47pm Local Time: Northern city of Sendai has been badly damaged, with reports of buildings collapsed
Update 5.17pm Local Time: Fires are raging out of control at an Oil Refinery east of Tokyo.Footage continues to roll in.
Update 5.15pm Local Time: A Pacific wide Tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific region. You can see the release by clicking here.
Some raw video footage of the moment the massive Japanese quake struck.
Live view of a supermarket during the quake.
More footage of the carnage as buildings crack, cars shake and windows shatter...
The power of the water is incredible as waves batter ships, cars and homes...
