Japan: Nearly 22,000 Dead Or Missing From Earthquake, Tsunami
By KUNA
The confirmed death toll from a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11 that hit northeastern and eastern Japan rose to 9,079 and 12,645 people remained missing as of Tuesday noon, the government announced.
Of the total, 5,507 people were killed in the hardest-hit Miyagi Prefecture alone, and 2,773 deaths were confirmed in neighboring Iwate Prefecture, the National Police Agency said.
In some cases, entire familieps or communities in coastal areas were swallowed by tsunami and disappeared without a trace, according to the agency.
About 310,000 people continued to endure cold weather at 2,200 shelters, including Tokyo.
Meanwhile, restoration of basic infrastructure in the disaster-stricken areas and fuel shipments have accelerated, making relevant personnel easier for transporting relief goods to the areas.
Shinkansen bullet train services between Morioka and Shin-Aomori resumed in the morning, while construction of temporary housing units also continued in some areas.
