Over 15,000 people killed in Japan quake and tsunamiMay 14, 2011 - 16:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The death toll from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan has topped 15,000, the National Police Agency said on May 13. The number of deaths stood at 15,019 in 12 prefectures, including the three hardest-hit Tohoku northeastern prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima, according to the agency. The figure includes three people killed in a strong aftershock that hit the Tohoku region on April 11. The death toll stood at 8,975 in Miyagi, 4,421 in Iwate and 1,559 in Fukushima. The number of people who remain unaccounted for came to 9,506, Jiji Press reported. A total of some 115,500 evacuees are still being forced to stay in some 2,400 shelters in 18 prefectures due to damage from the natural disasters and radiation leaks from Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s tsunami-crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |