Stranded survivors battle to get flights home from Japan

People stranded in Japan told today of their desperate battle to leave the country.

Thousands are still trapped in rural areas and those who make it to Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports are facing long waits for flights.

Hannah Nho from Chicago, a teacher in Sendai, was at home when the earthquake struck. Since then the 27-year-old's family have been fighting to get her back. Her sister June, who lives in Los Angeles, said it took her four days to get on a bus from Sendai to Yamagato.

Described as "exhausted, alone and scared", Ms Nho now hopes to get a flight home. Editha Avancena, 62, an English teacher from the Philippines, has spent days trying to find a way to leave Sendai.

She said: "I still have no idea how I'm going to get out. I want to get a bus to Tokyo and then try and get a flight but the buses are full every day. And even if I make it to Tokyo, I'm not sure if I'll get on a flight.

"So many people are trying to get out of Sendai. I'm praying that we will be able to leave."