The National Police Agency said Tuesday that the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 8,928 people dead and 12,664 others unaccounted for in Japan by 9:00 a.m. local time (0000 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.