Japan Earthquake, Tsunami Claim 1 000 Lives - Report

A map provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 11 March 2011 shows the location of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake which struck off the Northeastern coast of Japan. EPA/BGNES

At least 1 000 are believe to have been killed in the devastating earthquake that hit Japan on Friday and the tsunami that resulted from it, according to various reports.

Most of the victims are reported to have drowned in the water that inundated the northeastern coast of Japan after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Japanese archipelago earlier.

Thousands of people are still considered missing, and many remain stranded on rooftops, surrounded by water left by the tsunami.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan appealed for calm in the wake of his nation's worst earthquake since authorities began keeping records 140 years ago. In a nationally televised address, he said an emergency response team had been deployed and international aid was en route.

President Obama announced, as cited by The Los Angeles Times, that another U.S. aircraft carrier was en route to assist another warship already off the coast of Japan, and other U.S. naval vessels were poised to provide relief throughout the Pacific areas inundated or threatened by the tsunami that continued to roll across the ocean.

The Japanese police has officially confirmed a total of 137 deaths and 531 missing people but the death toll in the tragedy is expected to climb.

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