Tokyo, Japan – Sometime last night our time, early Friday morning Asia-Pacific time, the coast of northern Japan was hit by a massive earthquake at a magnitude of 8.9. According to Japanese officials, this is the biggest earthquake to ever hit the country.

An earthquake of that magnitude unleashed a 23-foot tsunami that caused immense damage miles inland and has prompted a ‘nuclear emergency.’ The Japanese government ordered thousands near a nuclear power plant in Onahama city to evacuate because the plant’s system was unable to cool the reactor. The reactor was not leaking radiation, but its core remained hot even after an immediate shutdown. The plant is approximately 170 miles northeast of Tokyo. Police are saying that 200 to 300 bodies were found along the northeastern coastal city of Sendai. Officials are stating that the death toll will continue to rise at rescue teams are still be dispatched as miles of cities and villages along the coastline suffered violent tremors.

According to MSNBC.com: “Even for a country used to earthquakes, this one was of horrific proportions because of the tsunami that crashed ashore, swallowing everything in its path as it surged several miles inland before retreating. The apocalyptic images of surging water broadcast by Japanese TV networks resembled scenes from a Hollywood disaster movie.

Large fishing boats and other sea vessels rode high waves into the cities, slamming against overpasses or scraping under them and snapping power lines along the way. Upturned and partially submerged vehicles were seen bobbing in the water. Ships anchored in ports crashed against each other.
The highways to the worst-hit coastal areas were severely damaged and communications, including telephone lines, were snapped. Train services in northeastern Japan and in Tokyo, which normally serve 10 million people a day, were also suspended, leaving untold numbers stranded in stations or roaming the streets. Tokyo’s Narita airport was closed indefinitely.” – MSNBC.com

The first tsunami waves have reached as far as Hawaii and all the surrounding islands of Japan were affected. As of now, a tsunami alert has been implemented  for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and even as far as the Pacific U.S. Coast of California.

Our prayers are with the people of Japan and the others affected by the tsunami waves.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for more updated news on Japan periodically throughout the day.

Source: Photos and Graphs provided by MSNBC.com