“I think it’s safe at the moments, but I’m worried that radiation might already be reaching us.”
Fifty thousand Japanese military personnel had been ordered to join the huge rescue and relief operation following the earthquake and tsunami. More than 1,000 people are feared dead. About 400 bodies were found in the town of Rikuzentakata, and Japanese media reports say 10,000 people are unaccounted for in Minamisanriku. Damian Grammaticas in the port of Sendai says the scenes of devastation there are
astonishing
.
Giant shipping containers have been
picked up
and swept inland and smashed against buildings. There are trees and wood and rubble
strew
n everywhere. Shipping crates, too. In front of me here, dozens and dozens and dozens of motor cars have been picked up, smashed and crushed. All across the ground, it’s wet and muddy with sand that’s been swept in by the waves. And right next to me here, is a giant articulated truck that’s been picked up, turned over, crumpled in the front end, smashed in, too.
International disaster relief teams have been sent to Japan. The United Nations said a nine strong UN team of experts would include several Japanese speakers. Britain said it was sending expert assistance after receiving a request from Japan. Singapore is also deploying an urban search and rescue team. American forces stationed in Japan have already been involved in rescue operations, and more than 50 territories and countries have offered assistance.