Tsunami-hit Japan, 24 hours later

Published March 12, 2011
The words “300 PEOPLE HELP” is written on the rooftop of a building in Iwanuma, in this still image taken from video on March 12, 2011.
The words “300 PEOPLE HELP” is written on the rooftop of a building in Iwanuma, in this still image taken from video on March 12, 2011.
Residents queue for supplies at a shop in the coastal town of Mito which displays the notice “water sold out” in Japanese characters.
Residents queue for supplies at a shop in the coastal town of Mito which displays the notice “water sold out” in Japanese characters.
Fire boats battle a blaze at the Cosmo Oil facility in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.
Fire boats battle a blaze at the Cosmo Oil facility in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.
Smoke rises from Fukushima Daiichi 1 nuclear reactor after an explosion happened today.
Smoke rises from Fukushima Daiichi 1 nuclear reactor after an explosion happened today.
People look at destroyed houses in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan.
People look at destroyed houses in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan.
A man who was trapped by a tsunami is rescued by a Japan Self-Defense Force soldier.
A man who was trapped by a tsunami is rescued by a Japan Self-Defense Force soldier.
People walk to an evacuation centre in Natori City.
People walk to an evacuation centre in Natori City.
A woman who was trapped in her home is carried by a Japan Self Defense Force soldier.
A woman who was trapped in her home is carried by a Japan Self Defense Force soldier.
People wait to be rescued atop a building with the letters “SOS”.
People wait to be rescued atop a building with the letters “SOS”.
Cars swept by a tsunami are overturned in a parking space.
Cars swept by a tsunami are overturned in a parking space.
A car swept by a tsunami is overturned on the street in Miyako City.
A car swept by a tsunami is overturned on the street in Miyako City.
Self-Defense Force officers rescue people by a boat.
Self-Defense Force officers rescue people by a boat.
Elderly people take shelter on the roof of an elementary school.
Elderly people take shelter on the roof of an elementary school.
A person who was trapped in a building is rescued by helicopter.
A person who was trapped in a building is rescued by helicopter.
Residents queue for supplies at a shop in the coastal town of Mito.
Residents queue for supplies at a shop in the coastal town of Mito.
People use a floating container to escape from floodwaters.
People use a floating container to escape from floodwaters.
An upturned house is seen among rubble in floodwaters.
An upturned house is seen among rubble in floodwaters.
Damaged ships are seen in Kesennuma City.
Damaged ships are seen in Kesennuma City.

Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people.

An explosion blew the roof off the unstable reactor north of Tokyo, Japanese media said, raising fears of a disastrous meltdown at a nuclear plant damaged in the massive earthquake that hit Japan. – Photos by Reuters

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