Page 2 - Hit Sendai News Today

Out, we have more from hong kong. kristi, it is encouraging to begin to see the search and rescue operations. the question we cant answer yet, though, what is the size. what is the scope of the challenge facing not only the japanese authorities but all the international help now coming their way? >> it is very encouraging to see live pictures of the rescue operation in sendai, the area in northeastern japan, most affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami. this is already about 18 hours af...

This was very violent and very long. >> it is now morning in japan. roughly 9:30 a.m. in the morning. of course, the epicenter of this disaster is in the northeast in sendai, but theyre in the capital city in tokyo are you seeing any clear evidence of damage, destruction from the earthquake? >> ill tell you, right now im on the way to the airport. weve just crossed over from tokyo metropolitan area into chiba prefecture, and im seeing the first damage that i have encountered. the road is buckled...

Have you still been unable to get in touch with your son? >> reporter: yeah, unfortunately. the phone lines are still down. my son, of course, has his cell phone, and i havent been able to get to him by cell phone. i havent been able to get to anybody at his school. i have his teachers phone number. she doesnt answer. its not that she doesnt answer. its just the phones are not working. its very upsetting situation. as can you imagine. >> is there any information coming from the government? is th...

Of course, well stand ready to provide them with what any assistance they require, john. >> thats mark bartolini from the u.s. agency for international development a short time ago. and i know from your experience covering the tsunami several years ago, it is remarkable, when you see a government, a country in need not only from the united states but around the world, i remember teams there when i there was from australia, new zealand. its remarkable the outpouring that comes in. and certainly w...

Weve seen some roadways that have been cracked, as well. but what weve seen so far is very minor damage, especially if you look at some of these television images that are coming out of the sendai region. thats really what were aiming for. thats where weve seen the bulk of the devastation. were seeing people where we are about 100 miles -- trying to completely leave the area or getting supplies and trying to get back to their families. >> okay. i want to get an idea of the supplies that you have...

Any reports of students gone missing or been hurt or anything worse than that. they assumed that he had been taken refuge at his school, so im hoping thats where he is. >> can they give you any information at all? you mentioned his school. have you been there? is it several stories high? if the waves came through -- we heard inland there have been waves as high as 10 or 12 feet. is it high enough if they had warning in the first areas hit, every -- if they had warning and got upstairs, would tha...

This wall of water has just gone through all these buildings and we dont know how many people are inside. we dont know whether these people are able to get away. whether theyre able to take cover. weve seen the pictures. this waffle water went straight through. and has hit sendai. lets have a listen. >> japans meteorological agency says it measured 8.4. the agency has issued a tsunami warning for the japanese pacific coast. youre seeing a fire completely raging out of control. this is live cover...

Feeling is about word on the street? >> we have drivers on the road. we have not been able to contact them. we hope they return safely. the earthquake here, its kind of unnerving to have the earth move underneath your feet. its unener i hanervy to have t. were standing by to help if needed. >> charles, i think its one of those disasters where the thai country is going to need to pitch in if these pictures are anything go by. were showing our viewers pictures of the earthquake that hit a while ag...

Are miss, but we are certain as we watch these new images come in that that number will climb as the waters recede. some government officials, in fact, quoted in japanese media outlets predicting the death toll at a minimum will pass the 1,000 mark. theres been a little over 18 hours now. lets take a closer look. its a magnitude 8.9 quake recorded right here off japans eastern coast. you see the town of sendai. that was closest. tokyo down here. the hashedest hit, this flashing ring here, but vi...

Some concerns about this nuclear episode. whats the sense among the people and the sense of the transparency and communication from the government? >> well, lets talk about what exactly im seeing. im 200 kilometers outside of where the tsunami hit. that sendai region. i can tell you that now its starting to be quite slow going. roads are cracked. you can start to see buildings have cracks. buildings are compromised. there is no gas. again, no power. very little water. we are seeing people leavin...