April 17, 2011 - 16:44 AMT
Japan: death toll from quake and tsunami reaches 13,778

The death toll from last month's 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami in Japan has reached 13,778, while nearly 14,141 remain unaccounted for, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Sunday, citing data from the police.

The twin disaster that hit Japan on March 11 also triggered a number of explosions at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant, which caused several radioactive leaks.

Radioactive elements were later found in the water, air and food products in some parts of Japan.

About 136,000 people have been evacuated from the disaster zone and accommodated in temporary refuge centers across the country.

The Japanese government has said the damage from the disaster could total $310 billion, RIA Novosti reported.