The tremor, which lasted more than a minute, caused entire buildings to shake violently in Tokyo, more than 300 kilometers from the epicenter. Seismic alarms were triggered across the country, allowing many people to evacuate in time, but it was not enough to prevent the tragedy.
So far, authorities have confirmed more than 3,000 deaths and thousands are missing. Aerial images show coastal towns completely devastated by a tsunami following the earthquake, with waves of more than 10 meters sweeping homes, cars, and boats inland.
Japan’s prime minister, in an urgent press conference, declared a state of national disaster and urged the population to remain calm. “This is a disaster of historic magnitude. But Japan has risen again before, and it will do so again,” he stated resolutely.
Hospitals in the affected areas are overwhelmed, and thousands of people have sought refuge in makeshift shelters. More than 1.5 million homes are without electricity, and food, water, and basic necessities are in short supply. Self-defense forces, along with international rescue teams, are working tirelessly to find survivors under the rubble.
One of the greatest concerns following the earthquake is the situation at several nuclear plants in the region. In particular, the Fukushima nuclear plant has reported severe damage to its cooling systems, raising global alarm over a possible radioactive leak. Authorities have evacuated a 20-kilometer radius around the plant and are constantly monitoring radiation levels.
Seismology experts have described this event as the worst since the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the strongest recorded since modern scientific records. According to the Geological Survey of Japan, the energy released by this earthquake is equivalent to hundreds of atomic bombs like the one dropped on Hiroshima.
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