Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, unleashing a 13-foot tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicenter.
The government confirmed at least 17 deaths, but that toll was likely to rise and Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported that at least 26 people had perished.
In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed massive damage from the tsunami, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.
Hawaii, entire Pacific, under tsunami warning
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan appeared on national television hours after the quake, urging residents to help each other where possible but to remain calm and cautious as the damage was assessed. He said the country's northeast coast had sustained "major damage".
Kan said some of Japan's nuclear power facilities in the northeast shut down automatically during quake, but that there were no indications of leaks.
The government's top spokesman, Yukio Edano, said that the country was sending troops to the quake-hit area to join relief efforts.
Kan also said that he has set up an emergency task force for rescue effort.
"The government will make an all-out effort to ensure the safety of all the people and contain the damage to the minimum," Kan said.
The quake has been ranked as the 7th most powerful ever recorded.
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