Algeria nationals in Japan safe, Foreign Ministry says

Algerian nationals in Japan healthy and safe, Foreign Ministry said here on Saturday following the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastate the country on Friday.

  Same source said the news is good and the Algerian Embassy in Tokyo managed to contact all nationals residing in Japan.

Scores of people are dead and missing after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Japan, triggering a devastating 10-metre-high tsunami along parts of the country’s northeastern coastline. 

 The massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday morning, creating gigantic waves which swept away cars, boats, homes and people as the surging water overwhelmed coastal barriers.

Media reports estimate at least 1,300 people may have been killed, most of whom appeared to have drowned by churning waters.

Blast reported at nuclear plant amid worries that quake-hit reactor can no longer cool radioactive substances.

Radiation has leaked from a Japanese nuclear reactor and authorities say there is a possibility of a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant about 250km north of Tokyo.

The cooling system of the plant was damaged in the massive earthquake that struck northeastern Japan and triggered a tsunami, killing hundreds of people.