The International Skating Union (ISU) said Monday the World Figure Skating Championships, which were to be held in Tokyo from March 21-27, will not be staged as scheduled following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

"Taking into account the continued critical developments in Japan, the ISU's primary concern for the safety of all participants, spectators and members of concerned entities as well as the travel advisories from many governments to avoid travel to Japan until the situation is settled, the ISU ... has concluded that the staging of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 scheduled to be held on March 21-27, 2011 is not possible and the Championships will not be held during that time," said ISU on its official website.

According to ISU, the postponement of the event or alternatively the final cancellation is under evaluation.

The ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating scheduled to be held in Yokohama on April 14-17, 2011, will not be staged as plan, either.

The posibility of postponing the above-mentioned World Championships as well as the holding of the ISU World Team Trophy is "subject to the confirmation by the competent Japanese authorities that the situation is back to normal conditions allowing the safe conduct of major ISU sports events in the Tokyo area".

A massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami hit Japan last Friday, causing widespread destruction and leaving more than 1,000 people dead and thousands missing.