After a 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan yesterday, the death toll is in the hundreds, but it may rise to over 1,300—and in one town, 9,500 people are missing. Today, two aftershocks—one 6.1 and one 6.4—have rocked the country and an explosion at a nuclear power plant (video below) has prompted more evacuations and radiation leak worries. A massive relief effort for the northeastern part of Japan has been launched and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called it "an unprecedented disaster."
The NY Times reports that Japan's earthquake building codes and many earthquake and tsunami drills the "best-prepared country in the world for the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami — practices that undoubtedly saved lives, though the final death toll is unknown." (BBC News has a map of where the earthquake struck.) Japan formally asked for U.S. military help and the U.S. military is planning a full deployment.
A Japanes government spokesperson said of the explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi plant did not cause radiation to leak out but one U.S. scientist said,"Any attempt to make it seem that this is not the worst case imaginable is foolhardy."
Anxious New Yorkers with friends and relatives in Japan have been frantically trying to make sure they are all right. NYC has set up a relief fund that NYers can donate to—email [email protected] or call 311—and you can also donate to Red Cross efforts here.
