Twenty countries expect tsunamis after Japan earthquake

By Khanyisa Tabata
11 March 2011

At least 20 countries have issued tsunami warnings following a massive eight point nine magnitude earthquake that struck Japan. Nineteen people are already confirmed dead in the quake that unleashed a water wall on the northern Pacific coast of Japan.

The tsunami engulfed towns and farms and caused immense damage as it swept buildings, cars and boats away. The tsunami warning list includes Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Mexico, Chile, New Zealand, Hawaii and various central American countries like Guatemala.

El Salvador and Costa Rica. The countries expect to be hit by giant waves in the next few hours.

Measuring eight point nine on the Richter scale, quake is the largest since a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia in 2004, killing 250 000 people