Death toll in Japan expected to reach over 10,000 - police

Death toll in Japan expected to reach over 10,000 - police

2011-03-15 20:58:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- The death toll continues to rapidly rise following Japan's massive 9.0 earthquake last week as the country's National Police Agency said more than 10,000 were expected to be dead or reported missing.

According to authorities, 2,475 people have been confirmed dead and 3,611 remain missing, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported, but with hundreds or even thousands of bodies being washed up in the Japan's northeast coast, police believe the death toll could rise to over 10,000.

Thousands of survivors have taken refuge where possible as approximately 1,300 people were found stranded on the island of Oshima, Miyagi Prefecture.

Meanwhile, as of Tuesday, more than 2,500 shelters have been housing around 520,000 people. However, shortages of blankets and food is being experienced, especially in the Tohuku region where cold midwinter temperatures are being forecasted for the week.

Fuel and medicine shortages at hospitals have medical personnel worried as many wounded have been unable to receive adequate treatment. A shortage of coffins is also being experienced with the high number of fatalities.

Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said that as of Monday night, almost 73,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged.

Search and rescue efforts, which include 100,000 deployed Japanese troops, are facing difficulties as well with much of Japan's transport infrastructure damaged.

Furthermore, radiation levels continue to rise with Tokyo registering around 20 times normal levels on Tuesday morning, authorities said. However, they assured that no immediate risk to human health was posed.

Since Friday's earthquake, four of the six reactors located in Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, have experienced hydrogen explosions and a major leak was found on Tuesday.

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