Death Toll Tops 9,000 from Great Quake-tsunami in Japan

The National Police Agency said Tuesday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 9,079 people dead and 12,645 others unaccounted for in Japan by 12:00 local time (0300 GMT).

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.