TOKYO (AFP) ― The earthquake and tsunami of March 11 last year killed thousands and caused widespread damage as well as sparking a nuclear emergency at Fukushima.
As Japan marks the first anniversary of the disaster, here are some key figures:
Time of earthquake: 14:46 local time. A tsunami warning was issued three minutes later.
Magnitude: 9.0
Epicenter: At 38.1 degrees north latitude, 142.9 east longitude in the Pacific Ocean, at the depth of 24 kilometers underwater.
Height of waves: Waves higher than 15 meters were observed in various places ― Ishinomaki, Soma, Ofunato, among others.
Confirmed deaths: 15,846
People still missing: 3,317
(No deaths have so far been attributed to exposure to radiation in the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant)
Injuries: 6,011
Refugees across the country: 341,411
Temporary houses constructed or under construction: 52,882
Buildings totally destroyed: 128,558
Buildings damaged: 916,883
Rubble generated in the three worst-affected prefectures (Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima): 22 million tons.
The government has approved four reconstruction budgets for the fiscal year from April 2011 to March 2012, totaling 20.5 billion yen ($253 million).
