Asia-Pacific

14 aftershocks hit off Japan's east coast

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-12 11:52

TOKYO - At least 14 aftershocks, from 5-6.8 magnitude, hit off Japan's east coast on Saturday following a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Japan Friday afternoon.

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According to NHK news reports, the death toll from Friday's powerful quake in Japan reached 576 and over 725 were missing Saturday following some areas suffered devastating damage in the 8. 8 magnitude earthquake, the strongest ever recorded in Japan.

The devastating damaged caused by the quake that struck at 2:46 pm (0546 GMT) on Friday was amplified by tsunami waves devouring Pacific coastal regions in northeastern Japan.

A total of 725 people have still been unaccounted for in six prefectures following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that could be felt in most regions of the nation.

As all the available Self Defense Force (SDF) resources were mobilized to provide emergency relief Saturday, the number of victims of the catastrophe is expected to rise to well over 1,000 people, the NPA and Defense Ministry said Saturday.

Up to 300 bodies were recovered in Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tohoku Region, official said and the Pacific-facing Wakabayashi area of the city was totally leveled by tsunami waves destroying 1,200 homes.

The coastal city of Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture was also devastated by a tsunami wave. Traveling in-bound at speeds upwards of 500 kilometers per hour, the city was completely engulfed, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

The National Police Agency said around 1,800 houses in Fukushima Prefecture were destroyed.

"More than 90 percent of the houses in three coastal communities have been washed away by tsunami. Looking from the fourth floor of the town hall, I see no houses standing," a city official from Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, was quoted as saying.

Japan's search and rescue efforts are being conducted with the help of the US military, with around 20,000 SDF personnel, nearly 200 aircraft and 25 boats being dispatched to the hardest- hit northeastern regions.

Rescue helicopters are attending to 80 people stranded on ship in the waters off Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture and have airlifted people to safety from an elementary school in the town of Watari, in Miyagi, local reports said.

Rescue teams from South Korea and other countries are due to arrive in Japan from Saturday to provide further man power.

The Foreign Ministry said Saturday that 50 nations and regions have offered to provide support following Friday's megaquake.