Toll due to Japan quake rises to over 5,000

March 17th, 2011 - 11:30 am ICT by IANS  

Tokyo, March 17 (IANS) The catastrophic quake and ensuing tsunami that hit the country March 11 have left 5,178 people dead till Thursday morning, Japan’s National Police Agency said.

A total of 8,606 people were unaccounted for by 10 a.m. local time (0100 GMT), Xinhua reported citing an agency statement.

A magnitude 9 temblor hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan, triggering an enormous tsunami.

Around 380,000 evacuees were now living in shelters in eight regions, including the worst-hit Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate prefectures.

The fire and disaster management agency said up to 100,000 houses have been damaged since the disaster occurred last Friday.

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