TOKYO - THE following is a list of key events since a massive
earthquake and tsunami devastated northeastern Japan on Friday:
Friday, March 11:
- An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9, one of the
most powerful ever recorded, strikes off Japan's northeastern coast
just before 3.00pm local time (2pm Singapore time). The authorities
issue a tsunami warning.
- A 10-metre tsunami wave smashes over the northeastern Japanese
coast, causing massive damage and flooding. A series of aftershocks
follows, many exceeding a magnitude of 7.0.
- Japanese authorities announce that four nuclear power stations
in quake-hit areas have been shut down. Eventually 11 of the
nation's roughly 50 plants stop producing power.
- The US Geological Service announces the quake was the most
powerful to hit Japan since records began.
Saturday, March 12:
- The Japanese government orders the evacuation of residents
living close to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, where the
disaster has caused cooling systems to fail and raised fears of a
meltdown.
- An explosion occurs in a building housing one of the plant's
reactors.
- Japan mobilises some 100,000 military and other rescue
personnel. Aid pours in from around the world, including from the
US military stationed in Japan.
- Video images show the extent of the damage, with the tsunami
washing away houses and cars and hurling ships far inland, while
fires blaze over large areas.
The US Geological Survey says the force of the quake moved
Honshu - the main Japanese island - by 2.4 metres .
Sunday, March 13:
- The government says 230,000 people have been evacuated from
the vicinity of the crippled nuclear reactors.
- While the overall toll remains unclear, the police chief in
badly-hit Miyagi prefecture said the number of deaths was certain
to exceed 10,000 in his region alone.
- A man who was swept out to sea on a piece of the roof of his
house is rescued by a naval vessel.
- The Japanese government announces energy rationing due to the
shutdown of nuclear power stations. Millions of residents are
without any power or water.
- The Japanese weather service says there is a 70 per cent
chance that a further aftershock with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher
could occur within three days.
Monday, March 14:
- A second explosion occurs at the stricken Fukushima nuclear
power station.
- Rescuers say they have found 2,000 bodies in Miyagi
prefecture.
- Share prices plunge 6.18 per cent on the Tokyo stock
exchange.
- A United Nations humanitarian agency says 1.4 million Japanese
are without running water and more than half a million have been
evacuated.
-- AFP
