Summary of developments after major Japan earthquake

TOKYO, March 11 (Reuters) - Following are main developments in the earthquake measuring 8.9 that struck northeast Japan on Friday.

* At least five people reported dead in Fukushima province, and many feared buried in rubble after a hotel collapses in northern city Sendai.

- Quake triggers tsunami up to 10 metres (30 feet), waves sweep across farmland, sweeping away homes, crops, vehicles, triggering fires. Tsunami of 7 metres later hits northern Japan.

- Strong aftershocks hit northern Japan.

* Tsunami warnings issued for countries including Russia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.

- Power cut to four million homes in and around Tokyo. Fourteen fires blaze in Tokyo.

- Many sections of Tohoku expressway serving northern Japan damaged. Major fire at Chiba refinery near Tokyo.

- Bullet trains to the north of the country stopped. The government was to dispatch 900 rescue workers to stricken regions.

- Narita airport closed, flights halted, passengers evacuated. Tokyo underground, suburban trains halted. Sendai airport in the north flooded.

* All Japanese ports closed and discharging operations halted, shippers report.

- Eight military planes scrambled to survey damage. Prime Minister Naoto Kan asks people to remain calm and orders the military to do their utmost to act. Cabinet to meet. The government says more tsunami possible.

- Central bank vows to do utmost to ensure financial market stability.

- Some nuclear power plants and oil refineries shut down automatically. Tepco's Fukushimi No. 1 plant had an equipment problem after the quake, but safety is ensured, officials say.

* Television reports a major fire at Cosmo Oil Co's Chiba refinery east of Tokyo, and a fire was reported at JFE's steel plant, also in Chiba.

* Toyota says stopped output at parts factory and two assembly plants in the northeast

* Electronics firm Sony closes six factories, Kyodo new agency reports.

* Asian shares fall after the quake hits while Nikkei still trading; European shares fall to their lowest in three months.—Reuters


GMANews.tv. (2011). Summary of developments after major Japan earthquake. Retrieved on March 11, 2010 from http://www.gmanews.tv/story/215053/world/summary-of-developments-after-major-japan-earthquake

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