Ship with 100 people swept away in Japan tsunami-Kyodo

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters

TOKYO, March 11 (Reuters) - A ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami which smashed into northeastern Japan on Friday following a massive earthquake, Kyodo news agency reported.

Read more: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ship-with-100-people-swept-away-in

[xchrom]

1. oh my. sad. nt

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Although most of Japan has newer, earthquake-rated structures...

...the death toll will be high.:(

[kentauros]

7. Is there such a thing as "tsunami-rated" for building construction?

I'd guess most of the houses swept away weren't, or if there is such a thing, it's horrendously expensive for your average homeowner.

I was watching that video last night, just an hour after it happened, seeing the people trying to outrun it in their cars. It looked like they were being too civil and orderly in their speed out of there. I was almost yelling at the screen, wanting them to toss such civil behavior to the wind and put the petal to the metal. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well, and that's nothing compared to what those people have, are, and did go through. I've been through hurricanes, but I really can't imagine being confronted with a tsunami. They're all in my heart and mind today.

[cbdo2007]

8. They seem to cut away on the tsunami footage just before the water gets....

to moving cars or people.

It's horrible and sad. The people there in the path just don't even have a chance.

[somone]

10. Yep

I noticed that also. Heartbreaking.

[EFerrari]

9. My condo was in the tsunami zone in San Francisco.

There are all kinds of regs for earthquake but not for tsunami. There are signs pointing up the hill awary from the beach that say "evacuation route", and there's an emergency loudspeaker system that is tested every day at noon.

[CountAllVotes]

12. if you live in a tsunami zone

Buying home owners insurance is a waste of time as it doesn't cover "acts of god". If you buy earthquake insurance, it would cover damage from an earthquake only after an enormous deductible and a tsumani like the one in Japan doing damage to your property would be within this same rationale for not covering the property - an "act of god". :argh:

I bet you are glad you aren't living in that place any longer! :scared:

[EFerrari]

13. Actually, the building was well built for an earthquake zone

and I miss it every day. :(

[CountAllVotes]

14. oh how sad :(

I lived in San Francisco for a long time. I left a number of years ago as it is such an expensive place to live. I may go back some day as I still live on the same fault that runs through San Francisco and a few more besides!

[EFerrari]

15. A branch of the Hayward fault runs through this place.

California. :)

[CountAllVotes]

16. I also lived on the Hayward fault for a number of years

Gee it seems we cannot get away from them can we? California. ;)

[chollybocker]

3. Among many other ships at sea, no doubt.

The death toll of this event is going to be horrendous.

[brooklynite]

4. Ships at sea should be at relatively low risk...

The impact from a tsunami comes in part from the low water depth on the coast and in harbors. If you're out in deep water, the effect is usually negligible.

[Thor_MN]

5. In deep water, from what I've read, it's neigh on undetectable.

At least to humans.

[Turborama]

17. Unless you were in this ship that was being sucked in the enormous whirlpool

English commentary: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x613334

Japanese commentary: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x561806#561836

[Courtesy Flush]

6. May not be as bad as it sounds.

If they meant that the ship was swept out to sea, the passengers might well be safe, but maybe a bit bruised. At sea, a tsunami is not a hazard to ships. They get dangerous when they hit land.

100 people in a building hit by tsunami are at much higher risk

[Turborama]

11. MSNBC: Japan searching for ship swept away in tsunami

msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 49 minutes ago

TOKYO — A Japanese coast guard official says a search is under way for a ship carrying at least 80 dock workers that was swept away when a tsunami struck the northeastern coast.

The vessel was washed away from a shipbuilding site in Miyagi prefecture (state), the area most affected by a massive offshore earthquake on Friday. The quake triggered the tsunami.

Citing Miyagi police, Kyodo News reported that waves carried a ship with 100 on board away, but it was not immediately clear if the reports referred to the same ship.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42028508/ns/world_news-asiapacific/