The World Nuclear Association has said it understands the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is "under control", and that water is now being pumped into its cooling system. The Japanese government earlier declared an emergency as a precaution and evacuated people living nearby, after there was a malfunction and the water level began to fall. A WNA analyst said the back-up battery power system was now online. .A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage..Japanese television showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake..The quake has sparked fires in several areas including Tokyo, with at least 15 people reported dead..It struck about 250 miles (400km) from the capital at a depth of 20 miles. There have been powerful aftershocks..The tremor hit at 1446 local time (0546 GMT). Seismologists say it is one of the largest earthquakes to hit Japan for many years..Picture: NHK/Universal News And Sport (Europe) 11 March 2011..(Universal News does not claim any Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fee charged by Universal News and Sport is for Universal News services only. We are advised that screen Image's should not be used more than 48 hours after the time of original transmission, without the consent of the copyright holder). .