Japan's Earthquake Death Toll Climbs to 14 300

Japanese policemen continue the search for missing people in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan, 20 April 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The number of confirmed deaths in Japan caused by the March 11 earthquake and the ensuing tsunami has reached 14 294.

According to latest data of the Japanese police, those who lost their lives come from 12 prefectures. Another 12 026 people from 6 prefectures are still considered missing.

The rescue and relief operations in the northeast parts of the Honshu island, which bore the brunt of the devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake, are continuing.

Over 130 000 Japanese citizens remain living in temporary shelters. Over 150 000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, leaving 25 million tons of rubble.

Estimates show that the earthquake and the tsunami-caused damages are worth JPY 24 T, or USD 308 B. In addition, the nuclear crisis in the Fukushima NPP caused by the natural disaster has cost JPY 11 T, or USD 133 B.

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