The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra has been caught up in the earthquake wreaking havoc across Japan.
Musicians with the Manchester-based orchestra were crossing a bridge on the way from Tokyo to Yokohama when the quake struck.
Their coaches carried the 90 musicians safely to Yokohama but the coastal city is now braced for tsunami waves.
Pictures and video of today's earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Violinist Simon Robertshaw, 39, texted a friend saying: "OMG we've just been in an earthquake over a bridge. Crikey - that was scary!!"
Fiona McIntosh, the orchestra manager, speaking to the BBC after they arrived in Yokohama, said it had been a "terrifying experience".
The orchestra has been in Japan since March 1st as part of a tour which would have included ten performances in 17 days. A concert scheduled for Friday night in Yokohama concert hall has been cancelled, the BBC said.
The University of Manchester was also rushing to contact 24 students currently studying in Japan, a job complicated by wide-spread blackouts and downed phone lines.
Programme Director Jonathan Bunt said: “We’re currently trying to contact everybody out there but as far as we know from Facebook postings and e-mail the word is out and we should hopefully have contacted everyone later on today.”
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake is the sixth most powerful ever recorded and has triggered enormous waves that have swept deep inland, washing away houses, boats and cars.
This morning, the Japanese government was scrambling to secure nuclear power stations and prevent a radioactive leak.
At least 23 have been confirmed dead so far.
TV footage showed waves of muddy waters sweeping over farmland near the city of Sendai, carrying buildings, some on fire, inland as cars attempted to drive away.
"This is a rare major quake, and damages could quickly rise by the minute," said Junichi Sawada, an official with Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
A large fire erupted at the Cosmo oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo and was burning out of control.
Public broadcaster NHK showed footage of a large ship being swept away by the tsunami and ramming directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture. Similar destruction was seen in dozens of communities along the coast.
In various locations along the coast, footage showed massive damage from the tsunami, with cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by water.
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What are they doing in Japan in the first place?
As BBC employees they should be in the UK working for the people who pay their wages.
The Orchestra travels and performs in many countries worldwide given them and the BBC added revenue.
And I'm ashamed to say I've been worrying whether my car will get through it's MOT in the last day or so. There is no comparison when people are killed and lives are devastated by occurrences like this. Let's hope the tsunami peters out before it hits any other shores.
The point of the BBC PO touring the far east is to raise the profile and culture of its resident country and indeed plug the City of Manchester and the North West of England generally. Typically, I presume, the BBC Phil will be playing works written by British composers e.g. Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Britten, Delius etc. They will tour many Japanese cities whose people thirst for performances of 'western' music (introducing classical British music) along side other well established works in the 'classical repetoire'.
Rockin good performance lads and lasses!
I agree ebble, manchester. Why in heavens name are the BBCPO over there? Still not heard a viable argument why they should be. The Japanese aren't bothered about western music or culture, are they?
The Man on the Clapham "john cole No it is you who is extremely naive if you thnk that the Salford taxpayers fund the orchestra."
I replied to you with a link proving that the Salford taxpayers fund it however the M.E.N is a socialist newspaper which is why they've chosen not to let the post through, censorship.
Funny considering the M.E.N was one of the papers to report the deal originally!