A strong earthquake struck today off the coast of north-eastern Japan in the same region that was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami last year.

Hundreds of people have died after a tsunami triggered by one of the largest earthquakes on record smashed into Japan's eastern coast.

A massive tsunami triggered by the largest earthquake in Japan’s recorded history slammed into the eastern coast today sweeping away boats, cars, homes and people.

Japan has been hit by at least 19 aftershocks, most of them of more than magnitude 6.0, after a huge earthquake ripped across the country today bringing devastation to a wide area and prompting fears of a massive death toll.

An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale rocked Japan’s eastern coast today, unleashing a 33ft (10m) tsunami which swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.