Hundreds hurt in Japanese quakes

More than 400 people were injured, at least 18 seriously, when two powerful earthquakes struck the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan early yesterday.

The first, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, was the strongest felt anywhere in the world this year. It left 16,000 homes without electricity and started a fire at an oil refinery.

Air, land and sea transport was paralysed for most of the day in many parts of the island, which is about 500 miles north of Tokyo. More than 40,000 people were forced to leave their homes by a warning of tsunami - huge waves - and aftershocks. The tsunami warning was later downgraded.

The authorities asked for troops to be mobilised to distribute fresh water.

The first earthquake struck at 4.50am, and was followed by a slightly less powerful one just after 6am. Cracks appeared in buildings and roads, but no sign of damage was found at any of the island's nuclear power stations.

The city of Kushiro bore the brunt of the quakes. Thirty-two flights were cancelled at the airport after the control tower's ceiling collapsed.

The meteorological agency said that at least 24 smaller tremors had been felt by early yesterday evening, and strong aftershocks could continue for the next 10 days.

There was an indirect fatality: a 61-year-old man was struck and killed by a car as he was clearing up bottles that had fallen on to the road.

The government promised financial help for the victims.