The National Police Agency said on Thursday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 11,417 people dead and 16,273 others unaccounted for in Japan by 10:00 a.m. local time (0100 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.