Skip to main content

Major Earthquake and Tsunami Hit Sendai and East Coast of Japan (updated)



http://edition.cnn.com/
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/03/11/japan-sendai-quake-a.html

Update 3/12/11 a.m.:
More pics:
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/03/11/from-the-sky-aerial.html
The train we were stuck on was on the tracks to the right in the last picture in the above sequence immediately below that scene of the people evacuating.

Update: Shocking gallery of photos here. The pictures from the tsunami hitting Hitachinaka are of Mika's hometown where her parents still live.

Update:
Use Keyhole TV to follow live Japanese coverage of the Sendai earthquake, now being called the worst to ever hit Japan, and tsunami. Use password NHK to follow NHK's coverage.


Mika and I just got home after walking 15 km across Tokyo after being stuck on a train down by the waterfront for an hour. Part of a building next to our train came down right at the beginning of the earthquake and shortly after we were evacuated an oil refinery across the bay exploded big enough to see the flash. We haven't been able to get in touch yet with Mika's parents who live near the coast further up north. Our thoughts go out to all our friends in Sendai and the surrounding area.

Comments

Brett Larner said…
And to Jason Mayeroff, whoever you think you are, you are a fucking degenerate to send me a message like that at a time like this.
Brett Larner said…
Thanks for all the messages. We've had constant aftershocks, but the biggest one just hit. Mika's dad just emailed and said they are OK but that their house had enough damage that they're going to sleep in their car tonight. They're far enough from the water that they don't think the tsunami will affect them.
Simon Phillips said…
Brett - good to know that you and those close are safe. Best wishes in difficult times.
Samurai Running said…
Take care Brett!

All the best to our friends in Tokyo!

And especially to those that felt the worst of it in Sendai, which I think is one of the best cities in Japan.

Don't worry about the trolls the stupidity they show at "times like this" only stems from their own sense of fear, their weakness manifests itself in forms like you unfortunately have seen.
Brett Larner said…
Thanks Simon, and I hope all's OK down your way Scott.
Anonymous said…
Hope everyone is safe and sound. Take care of yourselves.
Christian said…
glad to read that you're alright. hope the same holds true for Mika's parents! I was in Sendai almost exactly one year ago... take care!
Anonymous said…
brett,
Wish you and everyone down there all the luck.
I know someone in nishikasai and am wondering what is it looking like for that area. Is there a tsunami danger there

Most-Read This Week

Matsumoto Marathon Canceled After Fraudulently Hiding Past Financial Losses

On Apr. 23 the city government of Matsumoto, Nagano announced that it was canceling this fall's Matsumoto Marathon after discovering accounting fraud in the event's operation. "We are going to conduct a review of how the race has been conducted up to now," a statement from the city read. Mayor Yoshinao Gaun apologized at a press conference, saying, "We sincerely apologize for letting down everyone involved in putting the event together." The Matsumoto Marathon is run by an executive committee made up of representatives from the city, the Matsumoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Shinano Mainichi Newspaper, and the relevant track and field associations. According to city officials, financial records for the November, 2023 edition of the race were fraudulently manipulated. Income from participants' entry fees was lower than expected, and although the city managed to get the Shinano Mainichi, to which it had outsourced overall event management, to r...

Australian Male Arrested on Drug Smuggling Charges After Entering Japan for Osaka Marathon

On Apr. 9 the Kinki Region Bureau of Health, Labor and Welfare's Drug Control Division arrested Matthew Inglis Fox , 38, an Australian business owner of no known fixed address, on charges of violating the importation regulations of the Narcotics Control Act by smuggling tablets containing marijuana elements from the United States. The suspect had entered Japan in February to run in the Osaka Marathon . The suspect was arrested on suspicion of smuggling approximately 12 pills containing marijuana by sending them from a U.S. airport to Osaka's Kansai Airport using an international courier service on Feb. 19. The Osaka branch of the Customs Service discovered the tablets in arriving cargo and suspected them to be narcotics. Customs contacted the Narcotics Control Division, which then began its investigation of the case. According to the Narcotics Control Division, the suspect denies the charges.  Translator's note: Fox, who received a lifetime ban from the Ageo City Half Mara...

Nyiva and Wolde Win Gifu Seiryu Half

Two good races happened Sunday at the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon . The women's race was a head-to-head race between 2022 marathon world champion Gotytom Gebreslase and debuting Japan-based Janet Nyiva . Side-by-side through 15 km, Nyiva shattered Gebreslase with a massive surge over the last 5 km that ultimately put 52 second between them, Nyiva wining in 1:07:37 and Gebreslase next in 1:08:29. 2023 Asian marathon champion Eunice Chebichii Chumba held off the up-and-coming Kana Kobayashi , a member of Japan's marathon team for September's Tokyo World Championships, with a 1:09:07 for 3rd. Kobayashi's 1:09:09 for 4th was a PB by almost 5 minutes and the fastest time ever on the rolling Gifu course by a Japanese woman. Yumi Yoshikawa was 5th in 1:10:51. Five men went out front on mid-59 pace. Dawit Wolde , debuting Kiprono Sitonik , Vincent Yegon and veteran Bedan Karoki all took turns leading, with only Richard Kimunyan tucking in and declining to share the load. ...