Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Aftermath Of Devastating Japanese Earthquake: Thousands Missing, Radiation Concerns
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 12, 2011
Modified Mar 12, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 14
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 12, 2011
Modified Mar 12, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After a 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan yesterday, the death toll is in the hundreds, but it may rise to over 1,300—and in one town, 9,500 people are missing. Today, two aftershocks—one 6.1 and one 6.4—have rocked the country and an explosion at a nuclear power plant (video below) has prompted more evacuations and radiation leak worries. A massive relief effort for the northeastern part of Japan has been launched and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called it "an unprecedented disaster."
The NY Times reports that Japan's earthquake building codes and many earthquake and tsunami drills the "best-prepared country in the world for the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami — practices that undoubtedly saved lives, though the final death toll is unknown." (BBC News has a map of where the earthquake struck.) Japan formally asked for U.S. military help and the U.S. military is planning a full deployment.
A Japanes government spokesperson said of the explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi plant did not cause radiation to leak out but one U.S. scientist said,"Any attempt to make it seem that this is not the worst case imaginable is foolhardy."
Anxious New Yorkers with friends and relatives in Japan have been frantically trying to make sure they are all right. NYC has set up a relief fund that NYers can donate to—email [email protected] or call 311—and you can also donate to Red Cross efforts here.
Tagged
disaster
earthquake
japan
natural disaster
nuclear power plant
radiation
tsunami
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 3:19 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .