TOKYO - The National Police Agency said on Saturday that the catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 10,901 people dead and 17,649 others unaccounted for in Japan by 15:00 pm 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.