japan recalls tsunami nuclear tragedy six years on
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

To mark six years since a deadly earthquake

Japan recalls tsunami, nuclear tragedy six years on

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Japan recalls tsunami, nuclear tragedy six years on

The unit 3 reactor building at Fukushima after the 2011 disaster
Tokyo - ArabToday

Japan paused Saturday to mark six years since a deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster devastated a wide swathe of its northeastern coast as more than 100,000 people remain unable or unwilling to return home.

The magnitude 9.0 quake, which struck under the Pacific Ocean on March 11, 2011, and the tsunami it spawned left about 18,500 people dead or missing. 

The massive flow of water overwhelmed cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, causing meltdowns in three reactors in the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.

The quake and tsunami caused extensive damage to homes and property while radiation spread over a wide area, with more than 450,000 people evacuating in the immediate aftermath. 

More than 123,000 remain displaced, the majority from Fukushima prefecture due to high radiation. Some may never be able to go home.

At a national ceremony in Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other participants bowed their heads in silent prayer at 2:46 pm (0546 GMT) -- the exact moment the quake struck -- as did many residents across the affected region.

"When I think of the despair of those who lost beloved members of their families and friends in the disaster, I am overwhelmed even now with deep sorrow," Abe, dressed in formal mourning attire, told the gathering.

"My heart aches deeply," Akishino said.Japan's ageing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko did not attend this year, but were represented by their son Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko.

All attendees went to the stage to lay white flowers -- a symbol of mourning -- on a long white table. A live orchestra played melancholic classical music.

Separately, hundreds of police and firefighters combed beaches along the Fukushima coast, as they do on the 11th of each month, in a search for remains or other evidence of people still unaccounted for.

Many people gathered on beaches and other locations to pray, while some threw flowers into the ocean in remembrance of loved onces.

 

- 'Learn from Fukushima!'

"The sea is so quiet today," an elderly woman in the coastal town of Soma said on public broadcaster NHK. "Why did it become so rough and send up such big waves on that day?"

"You will forever live in our memories," read one.In Natori, one of the hardest-hit towns in Miyagi prefecture, some 100 people, mainly parents and classmates of deceased children, launched dove-shaped balloons attached with messages. 

The latest National Police Agency figures show that the total of dead or missing from the earthquake and tsunami stood at 18,446 people.

Also, more than 3,500 deaths from causes such as illness and suicide have been linked to the aftermath, according to government figures.

While no deaths have been attributed to radiation exposure, some evacuees are concerned the government is moving too fast to deem closed off areas safe to inhabit.

"We fled solely to protect our children and grandchildren from radiation," said Miyako Kumamoto, who criticised authorities for failing to help evacuees.

"I cannot accept this or understand why we have to be in this predicament" she told a press conference ahead of the anniversary.

Government evacuation orders for some 70 percent of the originally closed off areas will be lifted by April 1, except for certain towns near the battered facility, and authorities are encouraging evacuees to return.

In the evening, several hundred demonstrators gathered near Abe's office and in front of parliament to denounce government policy to restart nuclear reactors around the country shuttered after the disaster.Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), the plant operator, and the government are facing a four-decade task of cleaning up and decommissioning the facility. 

"Learn from Fukushima!" and "Fukushima is angry!" read protest banners.

source: AFP

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

japan recalls tsunami nuclear tragedy six years on japan recalls tsunami nuclear tragedy six years on



GMT 09:23 2019 Friday ,30 August

Testing

GMT 17:09 2017 Friday ,29 December

At least 14 dead in Mumbai fire

GMT 13:44 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Nine-time champion Loeb set for 2018 cameo

GMT 13:08 2017 Tuesday ,26 September

Bahrain's aluminum industry thriving, manned by 12,184

GMT 08:50 2017 Sunday ,03 December

Reza Zarrab, the star witness unnerving Ankara

GMT 18:26 2018 Friday ,14 December

Mashrou’ Leila headline Apple event in Dubai

GMT 12:35 2018 Thursday ,01 November

UN chief appoints new special envoy for Syria

GMT 12:41 2016 Friday ,09 December

Blatter blasts Infantino over lack of respect

GMT 03:22 2011 Thursday ,05 May

The Leela Palace New Delhi opens

GMT 10:13 2015 Saturday ,03 January

Fashion East reveals AW15 men's presentation line-up

GMT 13:24 2017 Sunday ,13 August

Plane makes emergency landing at Cairo airport

GMT 11:06 2016 Thursday ,15 September

WADA urges Russia to stop doping hacks

GMT 14:05 2014 Thursday ,18 December

Airbnb in Amsterdam tourist tax deal, first in Europe

GMT 09:26 2016 Monday ,29 August

Egypt seeks tougher penalties

GMT 09:08 2018 Wednesday ,10 January

Federer eyes fresh 'fairytale' as Slam rivals struggle
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday