Thousands roam Tokyo streets, stations after quake

[March 11, 2011]  TOKYO (AP) -- Thousands of people are roaming the streets of Tokyo or are stranded in offices and train stations as the capital's usual bustling traffic stood still after the biggest earthquake in modern Japanese history.

Friday's magnitude 8.9 temblor shook buildings furiously and cut off this nation's prized, sprawling train system -- paralyzing the daily commuter flow of more than 10 million people in the Tokyo area. Some people just gave up and began walking home to the suburbs. Long lines formed at usually unused public phone booths as mobile phones failed to work. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.