Japan has been struck by its most powerful earthquake in 140 years. The 8.9 magnitude tremor hit early Tuesday morning near Miyagi Prefecture on the northeast coast. The quake lasted over a minute, shaking buildings violently as far as Tokyo, over 300 kilometers away.

Seismic alarms alerted many people, allowing for evacuation, but more than 3,000 deaths have been confirmed, with thousands still missing. A massive tsunami followed, with waves over 10 meters flooding coastal towns and sweeping homes, cars, and boats inland.

Japan’s prime minister declared a national disaster and urged calm, saying, “This is a disaster of historic magnitude. But Japan has risen again before, and it will do so again.” Hospitals are overwhelmed, and over 1.5 million homes are without power. Food, water, and essential supplies are scarce.

Rescue efforts are underway by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and international teams. One major concern is the damage to nuclear plants, especially Fukushima, where cooling systems have been severely affected. A 20-kilometer radius around Fukushima has been evacuated due to fears of radioactive leaks.

Seismologists have called this the strongest earthquake recorded in Japan’s modern history and the worst since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The energy released was equivalent to hundreds of atomic bombs.

Countries including the U.S., South Korea, Germany, and Mexico have sent aid and support. Despite the devastation, the Japanese people are showing remarkable resilience, with volunteers organizing to help the affected and donation centers receiving widespread support.

Rebuilding will take years, but the spirit of Japan remains strong, ready to recover from this tragic event.