Devastation from Japan earthquake starts to become clear

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sophie Griffiths

The scale of the devastation wreaked by the Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami became clearer yesterday, as the first rescuers began arriving on the country’ north eastern coast.
Hundreds of bodies were reported floating around the city of Sendai, one of the country’s tourist hotspots.
Sendai, which is popular with visitors who take cherry blossom tours in Japan, was hit by a 10m high wave on Friday carrying debris and cars, while ships were tossed onto the harbour wall.
Over 250,000 people were sleeping in shelters, with five million homes left without power and one million households with no mains water.
It comes amid fears that the death toll could exceed 10,000 in the region of Miyagi, where Sendai is the capital.
Meanwhile, further down the coast, Japanese officials warned of a second explosion at Fukushima power station.

Tsunami warning downgraded for US mainland and Hawaii

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Sophie Griffiths

At least five people have been swept out to sea in California and Oregon after the first waves from the tsunami triggered by the Japan earthquake hit the US mainland.
Waves reaching more than six feet hit Crescent City in California, damaging vessels and harbour docks, and causing around £1.25 million in damage in Santa Cruz, according to reports.
Evacuation orders had been issued for the coastal regions in western American states and in Canada’s British Columbia, while thousands of people were ordered to leave coastal areas in Hawaii.
The tsunami alert has now been downgraded to an advisory warning in Hawaii, although officials continue to urge people to stay away from the beaches.
The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre has also downgraded its warning to an advisory.
Meanwhile, in Japan, a huge explosion has rocked a nuclear power plant after yesterday’s devastating earthquake.
Officials now fear a meltdown at one of the plant’s reactors, after radioactive material was detected outside it, and thousands of residents have been urged to evacuate.
A massive relief operation is currently underway in the rest of the country. Over 600 people are so far believed to have been killed in the earthquake, but hundreds more are missing, and the total death toll is estimated to be as many as 1,300. 
The British Foreign Office said there were no reports of British casualties at this time, but it has established a crisis unit and has set up a helpline for UK nationals in Japan and their relatives back home on: +44(0)207 008 0000

Egypt travel advice revised amid growing violence

Jan 29, 2011 09:30

Travel industry contingency plans for Egypt are likely to be triggered as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice “against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez”.

The measure came amid growing violence and political unrest across the country but does not cover popular Red Sea winter sun destinations.
The FCO said: “We are in close contact with Abta in the UK and tour operators and airlines in Egypt. We continue to advise British nationals to stay in close touch with their tour operator if they have one.”

Foreign secretary William Hague announced the travel advice change last night amid the growing anti-government demonstrations in Egypt.
He said: “The safety of British nationals is absolutely paramount.
“In light of the ongoing demonstrations in Egypt we have carefully reviewed our advice and now advise against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.
“This does not affect transits through Cairo airport for onward travel to other destinations, and it does not cover Egypt’s Red Sea resorts.”

The FCO cautioned all travellers to follow the news on TV and radio and not go out in central Cairo or other areas where demonstrations are taking place.
They should also abide by a nationwide curfew from 1800 to 0700 Egypt time.
“We are not, at present, advising British nationals to leave the country,” the FCO said.
“Our embassy and consulates general stands ready to provide consular assistance and we are sending a rapid deployment team to Cairo to provide additional support as soon as possible.”

An Abta spokesman said: "The vast majority of British holidaymakers in Egypt are based in resorts in the Red Sea area, for example Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.
“This is a very considerable distance from the affected areas and these resorts remain unaffected. Any tourists based in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor or Suez should liaise with their tour operator or airline regarding their holiday arrangements.”
Thomas Cook said it had cancelled all excursions to Cairo from Red Sea resorts up to and including Wednesday (February 2).
Meanwhile, around 50 Britons were forced to spend the night in hotels after an Egypt-bound aircraft was forced to make an unscheduled landing when a note containing a bomb threat was apparently found on board.
The EgyptAir jet from Heathrow was carrying 251 passengers when it landed at Athens airport, officials said.
The request to land was made by the pilot the flight to Cairo. Police were checking the plane for explosives but it is not known if any were found, the Press Association reported.