TAKAJO, Miyagi Pref. — Rescue workers used chain saws and hand picks Monday to dig out bodies in devastated coastal towns, as the nation faced a mounting humanitarian, nuclear and economic crisis in the aftermath of a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed thousands.
Millions of people spent a third night without water, food or heating in near-freezing temperatures along the northeastern coast as death estimates continued to rise.
More than 10,000 people are estimated to have died in Friday's tragedy, which is causing hardships on a scale that hasn't been seen since World War II. In many areas there is no running water, no power, and four- to five-hour waits for gasoline.