Huge tsunami slams Japan, sweeps across Pacific basin

The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 33-foot tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire. The Red Cross in Geneva said the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and a tsunami warning was issued for the whole of the Pacific basin, except for the United States and Canada, but Hawaii ordered the evacuation of coastal areas.