Toll from Japan quake nears 15,000

The toll from the recent magnitude-9 quake and tsunami in Japan has reached 14,919 people, while 9,893 remain unaccounted for, Kyodo news agency reported on Monday citing police data.

The toll from the recent magnitude-9 quake and tsunami in Japan has reached 14,919 people, while 9,893 remain unaccounted for, Kyodo news agency reported Monday citing police data.

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Among six prefectures affected by the March 11 disaster, Miyagi registered the highest number of victims - 8,924.

About 119,000 people have been evacuated from the disaster zone and accommodated in 2,400 temporary refuge centres in 18 prefectures across the country.

The twin disaster also triggered a number of explosions at the Fukushima no. 1 nuclear power plant, which caused the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986.

The Japanese government has said the damage from the disaster could total $310 billion.