Japan earthquake triggers tsunami

Japan was struck by a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, triggering a 13-foot (4-meter) tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicenter.

Tokyo's main airport was closed. A large section of the ceiling at the 1-year-old airport at Ibaraki, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo, fell to the floor with a powerful crash.

In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms. NHK said more than 4 million buildings without power in Tokyo and its suburbs.

TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.

A woman caught in the fury is seen desperately waving a flag and asking for help.

An entire bridge was uprooted due to the sheer force of the devastating earthquake. This was massive.

The owner of a ceramic shop checks his damaged wares following the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Tokyo on March 11, 2011.

Dozens of fires were reported in northern prefectures of Fukushima, Sendai, Iwate and Ibaraki. Houses collapsing and landslides were also reported in Miyagi.

In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed severe flooding, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.

The quake that struck 2:46 p.m. was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.8.

Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.

Thirty minutes after the quake, tall buildings were still swaying in Tokyo and mobile phone networks were not working. Japan's Coast Guard has set up task force and officials are standing by for emergency contingencies, Coast Guard official Yosuke Oi said.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.

TV announcers urged viewers near the shore to move to strong concrete buildings and stay above the third floor.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Here a washed out scene after the waves swept the area.

The destruction has been massive and scary to say the least.

The tsunami roared over embankments in Sendai city, washing cars, houses and farm equipment inland.

The ceiling in Kudan Kaikan, a large hall in Tokyo, collapsed, injuring an unknown number of people, NHK said.

Vehicles are crushed by a collapsed wall at a carpark in Mito city in Ibaraki prefecture on March 11, 2011 after a massive earthquake rocked Japan.

Japanese tourists watch a TV news program about a strong earthquake hitting their country at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea.

Black smoke rises from a burning building in Tokyo Bay area after Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast on Friday.

A mother and child crouch on a street in Tokyo while an earthquake hits Japan.

Smoke rises from a burning building in Tokyo after Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast on Friday.

Warnings have also been issued for Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Peru. There is no Tsunami warning issued for the Indian Ocean.

A girl here is seen contemplating the loss and the destruction around her.

The signs of ravage were visible all over, with roads caving in and buildings collapsing.

Tokyo Fire Department rescue workers arrive at Kudan Kaikan in Tokyo as local media said its ceiling was damaged after a strong earthquake and injured people inside the hall.