One week on, and the disaster in Japan is growing worse.
The brewing nuclear catastrophe dogs a country already on its knees.The ‘Fukushima 50’ – the nuclear workers fighting in shifts to cool the meltingfuel rods - are failing in what is undoubtedly a suicide mission. A deadly radioactive emission is feared.
The Japanese people have been told to expect another huge quake. Ifover 7.5 on the Richter scale, it will trigger another tsunami.
In addition, snow and bitter cold hamper rescuers - and doom thosethey seek under the rubble. Water, food and fuel are scarce.
If ever there was a doomsday scenario, this is it.
Few of us will ever forget the images of utter desolation anddestruction on our screens and in our papers, day after day.
What has struck me most is the Japanese people's courage and dignityin the face of terrible odds.
Now, especially, they must be very afraid of an enemy they cannotsee or feel. While the earthquake and tsunami were physical terrors to befought against, radiation is invisible.
Yet there are no signs of panic. Queues outside supermarkets areorderly, shop assistants helpful and respectful. People support each other.Recovery of the dead is sorrowful, but without hysteria. Roads have beenreopened, the army deployed and the 850,000 homeless so far, gathered up andsheltered.
Their stoicism is impressive, to say the least.
Meanwhile, France evacuates her citizens, American warships steamaway to a safe distance and the British are told to head south from Tokyo. TheEuropean Energy Commissioner talks of Japan’s reactors being ‘out of control’.Others speak of ‘nuclear Armageddon.’
I cannot imagine how we would cope under the same circumstances.
On Wednesday, Emperor Akihito – who only speaks out in times of waror crisis - appeared on Japanese national television to give his peoplestrength.
I believe they have strength in abundance. Japan has risen from theashes before, and will do so again. But it will be a long haul.
For now, my heart goes out to them.