Tens of thousands of Japanese huddled in makeshift emergency shelters today after a string of earthquakes in northern Japan flattened homes, toppled bridges and derailed trains, killing at least 21 people and reportedly injuring 2,000 others. Eight people were believed missing.

Three people were reported dead and around 200 injured after three strong earthquakes shook north-western Japan within minutes of each other today.

Three strong earthquakes shook north-western Japan within minutes of each other today, rocking buildings hundreds of miles away in Tokyo. Authorities had received reports that several people were injured.