TOKYO – The National Police Agency said on Saturday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 11,800 people dead and 15,540 others unaccounted for in Japan by 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT).
The search for the missing by Japan and U.S. forces will end on Sunday and the country will shift its focus to a daunting reconstruction effort.
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.
Death toll rises to 11,800 from great quake-tsunami in Japan
