A ferocious tsunami unleashed by Japan's biggest recorded earthquake brought life to a standstill with thousands stranded in subways and the danger of a nuclear leak looming large on the population

At least 288 people have been killed in the massive 8.9-magnitude quake that hit Japan yesterday, unleashing huge tsunamis along its Pacific coast.



The National Police Agency say 88 people have been confirmed dead and 349 missing, with 330 others injured in the tremor.

"The death toll doesn't include the 200-300 dead bodies which were (reportedly) found on the beach of Sendai," a spokesman for the agency said yesterday.

About 200 to 300 bodies were found in a part of Japan's quake and tsunami hit Pacific coast town of Sendai, according to media reports.

Local media said the bodies were reportedly found in Sendai's Wakabayashi ward following the powerful seabed earthquake that sent a massive tsunami slamming into the coast.

Of the dead, 34 were found in Iwate prefecture, near the epicentre, the agency said. Three were killed in Tokyo.



Millions stuck in Tokyo as quake shuts down subways

Millions of people in greater Tokyo were stranded far away from home after Japan's biggest earthquake on record shut down the capital's massive subway system.

Sirens wailed through Tokyo, television helicopters buzzed overhead and people rushed to the city's ubiquitous 24-hour convenience stores, quickly emptying shelves of bento boxes, sandwiches and instant noodle cups.

Countless workers, who had earlier fled violently swaying office blocks, found themselves stuck far from their families and unable to speak to them because the overloaded mobile phone system could not carry most calls.

"I have no idea how I'll get home," said an 18-year-old woman waiting outside Ginza subway station.
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"Please do not try to force your way home when there is no means of transportation, but stay in your offices and other safeplaces," said an emergency advisory carried by a national public broadcaster.

"Night is falling," the newscaster said as chilly darkness fell across the nation.

Number Game

13
Population of Tokyo (million)

93
Casualties from the earthquake

33
Height of the tsunami wave (feet)

50
No of countries on tsunami alert

45
No of countries offering aid