Japan issues nuclear emergency, ship swept away
A truck is stuck on a road crack after a powerful earthquake in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, causing many injuries, fires and a ten-metre (33-ft) tsunami along parts of the country's coastline. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-metre tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. REUTERS/KYODO (JAPAN - - Tags: DISASTER TRANSPORT) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN. YES
Image by: KYODO
Image by: KYODO
Japan's top government spokesman says the country has issued a state of emergency at a nuclear power plant after its cooling system failed. There was no radiation leak.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says the nuclear power plant in Fukushima developed a mechanical failure in the system needed to cool the reactor after it was shut down in Friday's earthquake.
He said the measure was a precaution and there was no radiation leak at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant. He said the facility was not in immediate danger.
Meanwhile, a ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami which smashed into northeastern Japan on Friday following the massive 8.9 earthquake, Kyodo news agency reported.
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Japan issues nuclear emergency, ship swept away
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