Massive quake unleashes huge tsunami in Japan

MSNBC reports: A magnitude 8.9 earthquake — the biggest in modern Japanese history — slammed Japan's northeastern coast today, unleashing a 13-foot tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland and prompting a "nuclear emergency."

At least 60 people were killed and there were reports of several injuries in Tokyo, hundreds of miles away, where buildings shook violently through the main quake and the series of massive aftershocks that followed.

A ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami, Kyodo news agency reported.

The quake triggered problems with a cooling system at a nuclear power plant , officials said, prompting the "emergency," but the officials maintained that no radiation had leaked. A fire was reportedly burning in a turbine building at the plant.

Fires triggered by the quake burned out of control up and down the coast.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the quake caused "major damage" in northeastern Japan.

Officials were still trying to assess the extent of destruction. The government's top spokesman, Yukio Edano, said that the country was sending troops to the quake-hit area to join relief efforts.

A tsunami warning was also issued for Hawaii and the coasts of Oregon and northern and central California and parts of Alaska. A tsunami advisory was in effect for southern California.

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