The earthquake off the Pacific coast was a magnitude 9. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded to have hit Japan, and the fifth most powerful earthquake in the world.
The Japanese National Police Agency report confirmed 15,887 deaths, 6,150 injured, and 2,615 people missing, as well as 127,290 buildings totally collapsed, with a further 272,788 buildings 'half collapsed', and another 747,989 buildings partially damaged.
Around 4.4 million households in north-eastern Japan were left without electricity and 1.5 million without water. IODR donated £300 for emergency water aid immediately following the Tsunami.