Daybreak reveals huge devastation in tsunami-hit Japan

Houses are swept by water following a tsunami and earthquake in Natori City in northeastern Japan. REUTERS/KYODO

TOKYO, (Reuters) – Japan confronted devastation  along its northeastern coast today, with fires raging and  parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and  tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people.

Daybreak revealed the full extent of damage from yesterday’s  8.9 magnitude earthquake — the strongest in Japan since records  began — and the 10-metre high tsunami it sent surging into  cities and villages, sweeping away everything in its path.

“This is likely to be a humanitarian relief operation of  epic proportions,” said Japan expert Sheila Smith of the