The city of Sendai in northeastern Japan was hit hardest by the earthquake that rocked the island nation followed by a tsunami on March 11. The city is beginning the long process of recovery.

The city of Sendai in northeastern Japan was hit hardest by the earthquake that rocked the island nation followed by a tsunami on March 11. The city is beginning the long process of recovery.

A Russian rescue team working in the city combed an area of 100 square kilometers by late Thursday.

Rescue workers split up into groups and search for survivors in buildings that were left standing.

It is different here from districts located further inland, where life is already back to normal. People go to work. Stores are open for business. There has been no loss of electricity across entire communities. Some hotels remain open. One hotel, the Toyoko Inn, even has hot water. Photo: Emergencies Ministry rescue team in Sendai.

Grocery stores in Sendai are running low on products. Long lines are a common sight. It takes 20-30 minutes to get to the counter. Photo: Emergencies Ministry rescue team in Sendai.

Reminders of the recent disaster are everywhere. The international airport, located in a Sendai suburb, was severely damaged in the tsunami.

Apart from flood damage, the airport’s buildings remained intact. Inside, sand and broken glass cover the floor. Outside, parking lots are strewn with overturned cars.

The tsunami carried small planes up to a kilometer away from their hangars.

People were forced to flee their homes, now in ruins.

The ruins are littered with broken dishes, children’s clothes, furniture, radios and other belongings destroyed in the disaster.

Tsunami-hit Sendai seaport.
