Earthquake in Japan - 8.450 dead and 12.931 missing

The death toll from the earthquake and Tsunami of 11 days in Japan rose to the 8,450 people while 12,931 others were missing, according to data released today by the Japanese police.

Nine days after the earthquake of 8.9 degrees on the northeast coast of Japan, which caused the worst natural disaster after World War II, two people were found alive today in the rubble in the province of Miyagi, although hopes of finding more survivors diminish with the passage of the hours.

Assistance efforts focus on seeking shelter to survivors who have lost their homes, including about 360,000 evacuees, most of which remain at 2,200 shelters licensed by the authorities.

Among them are the 200,000 evacuees around the nuclear plant in Fukushima, where technicians and military struggle day and night by lowering the temperature of the reactor to prevent further radiation leaks.

More than 600 aftershocks have rocked the territory of Japan after the earthquake of 9 on the Richter scale on day 11 on the northeast coast.

The aftershocks have not caused serious damage so far, while causing great excitement among a population shocked by the strong earthquake on day 11, the devastating tsunami that followed and the nuclear crisis.

The Government has announced that once controlled the Fukushima plant will never again operate.

At the same time, the government has acknowledged that he had detected radioactive iodine levels above those allowed in milk of four places in the province of Fukushima and spinach in the neighboring province of Ibaraki.

The products came to market and, according to the Government, there are no health risks.

Plant in Fukushima on Sunday have been released tons of water to cool the reactor number 4 and has managed to connect power to the unit 2, but is the reactor 3, which stored uranium and plutonium, which causes greater concern.

Japan Tsunami Video

Japan Tsunami Video

Japan has been pounded by a massive tsunami after being struck by one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history, which was listed by the USGS as magnitude 8.9.

The powerful tsunami swept away cars near the coast and news networks have been broadcasting footage of waves sweeping through farmland normally many miles from the coast.



More video will be added as it becomes available

Japan Nuclear Alert and Earthquake and Tsunami

Japan nuclear alert and earthquake and Tsunami

Japan nuclear alert and earthquake - live coverage


• Explosion reported at Fukushima nuclear plant
• Death toll said to be more than 1,300
• Tsunami engulfs northern port of Sendai and islands
• 215,000 people are in emergency shelters
• Around 50,000 rescuers have been deployed


•There are growing fears about damage to two nuclear power stations following Friday's 8.9 magnitute earthquake. There has been an explosion at a building at one of the plants, Fukushima No 1 in Futuba, 150 miles (240km) north of Tokyo. Japanese authorities have extended the evacuation area at the Fukushima No 2 plant to 10km, the same distance as for Fukushima No 1 plant.
•The death toll from the disaster is expected to exceed 1,300, with most deaths due to drowning. The official death toll currently stands at 413, with 784 people missing and 1,128 injured. Police said between 200 and 300 bodies were found along the coast in Sendai, the biggest city in the area near the quake's epicentre.
•Police estimate that more than 215,000 people are taking refuge in emergency shelters in the east and north of the country. Many survivors have been trapped overnight on rooftops, surrounded by a sea of mud and water. Around 50,000 rescuers have deployed to the region.
•Tsunami warnings for most of Japan have been lowered, although there is still a risk of large waves along the north-eastern coast.
•The tsunami rolled across the Pacific at jet speed but had weakened before it hit Hawaii and the West Coast of the US. Initial reports suggest limited tsunami damage to Pacific island nations.