Update: Explosion Heard at Nuclear Plant

Source: AOL News

SOMA, Japan -- Radiation is spewing from damaged reactors at a crippled nuclear power plant in tsunami-ravaged northeastern Japan in a dramatic escalation of the 4-day-old catastrophe. The prime minister has warned residents to stay inside or risk getting radiation sickness.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Tuesday that a fourth reactor at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex was on fire and that more radiation was released

Prime Minister Naoto Kan warned that there are dangers of more leaks and told people living within 19 miles (30 kilometers) of the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex stay indoors.

Video:Tsunami and earthquake damage

Source: Russia Today

THIRD REACTOR AT FUKUSHIMA EXPLODES

NHK recently reported that the No. 2 reactor at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant exploded. Previously, the No. 1 and No. 3 reactors exploded but posed no threat of radiation due to that fact that the inner container was not cracked. However, the explosion in the No. 2 reactor shows signs of cracking in the inner container, and higher radiation levels are being reported.

The tragic news just keeps flowing. Japan, we are praying for you.

Millions in stricken areas without food, water or heating

 Source: Today Online

from AP Images

A Japanese soldier rescuing a four-month-old baby girl in Ishinomaki. AP Copyright © MediaCorp Press Ltd

TAKAJO (Japan) - Rescue workers used chainsaws and hand picks to dig out bodies in Japan's devastated coastal towns yesterday, as Asia's richest nation faced a mounting humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of a massive earthquake and tsunami.

Millions of people faced a fourth night without water, food or heating in near-freezing temperatures in devastated areas in the north-east.

According to public broadcaster NHK, about 430,000 people are living in emergency shelters or with relatives, while another 24,000 are stranded.

Video: Tsunami and Hydrogen Explosion (14th March)

Japan disaster pummels world stocks

 Source: Reuters

By Al Yoon

NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - World stocks slid to six-week lows on Monday as the devastating toll from Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis continued to unfold, raising fears of the impact on industries ranging from insurance to power generation.

Oil prices fell on expectations of slower demand from Japan, the world's third largest economy and a major oil importer. Growing unrest in a Yemeni area bordering Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, limited the decline in oil prices.

Second Explosion Raises Nuclear Fears

Source: ABC News

A new explosion ripped through a crippled nuclear plant as hundreds of people are being tested for radiation exposure and the death toll continued to climb following Friday's 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"Worst since World War II" says Prime Minister Kan

SOURCE: News On Japan

Japan is experiencing its greatest hardships since World War II as it tackles the aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami and a growing nuclear crisis, Prime Minister Naoto Kan says. In a televised statement, Mr Kan warned of sweeping power cuts to come.
He said the situation at the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant remained grave, a day after an explosion at a reactor.
Meanwhile, police have warned that the death toll in tsunami-hit Miyagi prefecture alone could exceed 10,000.
Millions of survivors remain without electricity and authorities are stepping up relief efforts as the scale of the tragedy becomes clearer.

Japan: Before and After

Sendai, Japan

Source: CNet News

More startling before/after pictures:

ABC News

UPDATE: Sendai, Japan

"More dead found than living." -CNN News

____________________________________________

SOURCE: Yahoo! News

SENDAI, Japan – The estimated death toll from Japan's disasters climbed past 10,000 Sunday as authorities raced to combat the threat of multiple nuclear reactor meltdowns and hundreds of thousands of people struggled to find food and water. The prime minister said it was the nation's worst crisis since World War II.
Nuclear plant operators worked frantically to try to keep temperatures down in several reactors crippled by the earthquake and tsunami, wrecking at least two by dumping sea water into them in last-ditch efforts to avoid meltdowns. Officials warned of a second explosion but said it would not pose a health threat.
Near-freezing temperatures compounded the misery of survivors along hundreds of miles (kilometers) of the northeastern coast battered by the tsunami that smashed inland with breathtaking fury. Rescuers pulled bodies from mud-covered jumbles of wrecked houses, shattered tree trunks, twisted cars and tangled power lines while survivors examined the ruined remains.