Japan declares emergency at n-plants; 45000 evacuated

Japan has declared emergencies at two nuclear plants whose power systems were knocked out by a massive earthquake, which also sent a tsunami into the Pacific coast island of Honshu, killing as many 1,000 people.

Authorities say two plants operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company in the city of Fukushima failed after the 8.9 magnitude quake struck waters east of Honshu early Friday afternoon. The cooling systems of several reactors failed, causing pressure to rise within the facilities.

Authorities said they may release small amounts of radioactive steam from the plants to ease the pressure build-up.

Japanese officials say radiation levels inside parts of Fukushima's Daiichi plant rose to 1,000 times above normal. They ordered 45,000 people living within a 10-km radius to evacuate.

Japan's nuclear plants are designed to shut down following earthquakes, but require a power supply for systems that cool the reactors to keep their pressure stable.

The Japanese government also deployed troops and helicopters to rescue people stranded in coastal communities hit by waves up to 10 metres high that swept away vehicles and buildings and flooded vast areas.