The National Police Agency said on Tuesday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 11,063 people dead and 17,258 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.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2011)