Over 10 000 Perish in Japanese Earthquake

Tsunami survivor residents buy radiation-free spinach farmed in Miyagi Prefecture. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The number of casualties from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11 has exceeded the psychological barrier of 10 000.

Local police authorities, in charge of compiling statistics from the different prefectures, affected by the 9 point magnitude on the Richter scale earthquake and 10-meter tsunami, have confirmed 10 035 deaths.

There are, however, fears that the dead toll can be much higher with 17 443 missing.

Meanwhile, Taiwan became the next country to ban import of food from the 5 prefectures near the damaged Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, NPP, over threats of elevated radiation.

The Taiwan authorities' decision has been made after radioactive particles were discovered in mussels imported from Japan.

Russia, Australia, Singapore and the US already imposed strong restrictions on food imports from Japan.

700 engineers are working non-stop to prevent a nuclear disaster at Fukushima. Three of them were listed in the hospital for radiation exposure.

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