TOKYO – The National Police Agency said the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 11,578 people dead and 16,451 others unaccounted for in Japan by 10:00 a. m. local time (0100 GMT) Friday.
A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering enormous tsunami.
Heavy casualties and extensive damage have been caused by the twin disasters.
