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A woman looks at the damage caused by a tsunami and an earthquake in Ishimaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, after the magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck the area Sunday, Mar. 13. (Yomiari / Reuters) Japan’s prime minister on Sunday called the earthquake and tsunami the most severe challenge his nation has faced since World War II, as the grim situation worsened and death toll estimates soared.

A woman looks at the damage caused by a tsunami and an earthquake in Ishimaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, after the magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck the area Sunday, Mar. 13. (Yomiari / Reuters)

Japan’s prime minister on Sunday called the earthquake and tsunami the most severe challenge his nation has faced since World War II, as the grim situation worsened and death toll estimates soared.

An elderly man is carried by a Self-Defense Force member in the tsunami-torn Natori, Japan, on Saturday morning. (Yasushi Kanno / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP) The earthquake numbers are already staggering: 50,000 troops have joined rescue and recovery efforts following Friday’s 8.9-magnitude quake that unleashed a 23-foot tsunami. Most of the 51,000 residents living within six miles of an unstable nuclear plant have been evacuated. Japan’s official death toll currently stands at 574, with hundreds missing and more than 1,100 injured. Media reports say at least 1,300 may have been killed.

An elderly man is carried by a Self-Defense Force member in the tsunami-torn Natori, Japan, on Saturday morning. (Yasushi Kanno / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP)

The earthquake numbers are already staggering: 50,000 troops have joined rescue and recovery efforts following Friday’s 8.9-magnitude quake that unleashed a 23-foot tsunami. Most of the 51,000 residents living within six miles of an unstable nuclear plant have been evacuated. Japan’s official death toll currently stands at 574, with hundreds missing and more than 1,100 injured. Media reports say at least 1,300 may have been killed.

People waiting to be rescued write “SOS” atop a building after an earthquake in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture on Saturday. (Yomiuri / Reuters) Today’s quake coverage focuses on the blast at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility that occurred just hours after officials said they feared the reactor could melt down. More here.

People waiting to be rescued write “SOS” atop a building after an earthquake in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture on Saturday. (Yomiuri / Reuters)

Today’s quake coverage focuses on the blast at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility that occurred just hours after officials said they feared the reactor could melt down. More here.