Tokyo, March 11: In one of Japan's worst earthquakes followed by a devastating tsunami, roughly 200 to 300 bodies were found on the shores of Sendai, the epicentre of quake which was following by 16 feet high tsunami waves which devastated the seaside town on Friday afternoon.
The death toll according to Tokyo Broadcasting System was 298, with more than 300 persons missing.
Japan's Kyodo news agency and Jiji news agency reported that police in Miyagi prefecture say between 200 to 300 bodies have been found in Sendai alone.
The Kyodo news agency reports that 8,000 defense force troops have been dispatched for quake relief. In addition, one defense force team has been ordered to fly to Fukushima nuclear plant. Kyodo says Japan is asking the U.S. for assistance after the quake.
At least 71 aftershocks were continuing to rattle the country after 8.9 magnitude temblor. 15 aftershocks were above 6.0 on the Richter scale.
