Tokyo (Xinhua): The National Police Agency said on Saturday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 10,418 people dead and 17,072 others unaccounted for in Japan by 15:00 p.m. local time (0600 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.