Tsunami hits north-eastern Japan after massive quake

[alexxxxx]

Japan is the 'best' possible country for this to happen to. They are the most prepared country for earthquakes and tsunamis.

I think a lot needs to be said for the engineers that have saved thousands of people's lives. These buildings haven't stayed standing up on their own.

RIP to all those who have died.

[JerseySafety]

Apparently there was also a 6.1 quake in Tonga?

[xxMATTGxx]

0548: The plant's operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, tells AFP: "We believe the reactor is not melting down or cracking. We are trying to raise the water level."

The quake death toll rises to more than 700, the AFP news agency reports

[Eric]

My japanese teacher went back to Japan. Hopefully she's safe in Tokyo!

[Jordan]

AFP says an explosion has been heard at the ***ushima-Daiichi plant, and says Japanese TV is showing a white cloud above the plant.

Japan's NHK TV also has that report of an explosion, which it says was "near" the ***ushima-Daiichi plant. The Tokyo Electric Power Company - which runs the plant - says some workers were injured, NHK reports.

NHK TV says the number of dead across Japan has reached 1,000.

[xxMATTGxx]

Japanese media reports say that radioactivity has risen 20-fold outside the ***ushima-Daiichi plant.

[Jordan]

Japan's NHK TV showing before and after pictures of the ***ushima-Daiichi plant. It appears to show that the outer structure of one of four buildings at the plant is no longer there.

[Grig]

Could be another Chernobyl people.

[xxMATTGxx]

One of the buildings seem to have vanished/collapsed. (The wall)

Malcolm Grimston, a nuclear energy expert from Imperial College London, has told the BBC that as long as any nuclear meltdown is small-scale, it can be contained: "For example, there was one in the Chapel Cross plant in south-west Scotland in the 1960s, and at the end of that it only affected two of what they call the fuel channels, the long tubes where the fuel is put. They simply sealed those off, there was no release of radioactivity offsite and the plant continued to operate for 30 years."

NHK TV carrying advice to people to protect themselves against radiation. Experts say people should cover their mouths and noses with wet towels. Exposed skin should also be covered and people should wash after coming indoors. People should also avoid vegetables and other fresh food, as well as tap water, until authorities give the all-clear.

[Jordan]

Some pictures have come through now on Japanese TV of that explosion. It looks very strong. You can see debris being blasted from the building, then a cloud of smoke mushrooming up from the plant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698 click BBC News Live Coverage they are talking about it now