Japan death toll ‘could number thousands’

As rescuers fight their way through to the victims, workers struggle to contain radioactive leaks from a nuclear power plant The full horror of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan is starting to emerge amid fears that the death toll could run into many thousands. A day of high tension saw workers battle to save a nuclear plant from meltdown and 50,000 rescuers fight their way to victims in the midst of mud, flood waters, collapsed buildings and continuing blazes. At least 1,700 people were reported dead or missing following the earthquake and tsunami, Kyodo news agency said. Further shocks of up to 6.4 magnitude continued to strike the north-east a day and a half after the major quake. In addition, Kyodo said, 9,500 people could not be contacted in Minami Sanriku in the northern prefecture of Miyagi, around half the population. Japanese broadcaster NHK said 2,700 homes had been destroyed in Arahama, in the same prefecture. Further north, the National Police Agency said 5,000 homes were under water in Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate prefecture. Survivors were reported to be clambering over uprooted trees and overturned cars to reach homes. Rail operators were also searching for four commuter trains that were travelling coastal lines in Miyagi and Iwate when the tsunami struck. The frantic search for survivors was almost overshadowed by the spectre of radioactive leaks at a nuclear power plant at the heart of the area most affected by Friday’s earthquake. At the Fukushima plant, radiation leaked from a damaged reactor after an explosion blew the roof off. Japan’s nuclear safety agency said the accident was rated less serious than the Three Mile Island or Chernobyl disasters, but up to 160 people were exposed to radiation. Authorities told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s atomic watchdog, they were making preparations to distribute iodine to people living nearby. Iodine can increase resistance against thyroid cancer in the case of radioactive exposure. A 20km evacuation zone was imposed around the plant as authorities moved tens of thousands of residents from the area, some 240km north of Tokyo, as they tried to reduce pressure in the reactors. The IAEA said Japanese authorities had informed it of the explosion and that they were “assessing the condition of the reactor core”. Early this morning, technicians were battling to relieve pressure in a second reactor at the plant after its cooling system failed. The procedure was expected to release a small amount of radiation. As the first wave of military rescuers began arriving, prime minister Naoto Kan said 50,000 troops had joined rescue and recovery efforts, aided by boats and helicopters. Dozens of countries also offered help; Britain sent a specialist team of search and rescue experts. Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Japan as

Posted by on March 12, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.