How many people died in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami?
Quick Answer
More than 15,000 people were killed, with thousands more missing and many communities devastated. The quake had a magnitude of 9.0 to 9.1.
The Full Story
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake struck off northeast Japan on March 11, 2011, and was followed by a devastating tsunami. The earthquake is commonly reported as magnitude 9.0 or 9.1, making it one of the largest ever recorded. More than 15,000 people died, with many others injured or missing, and entire coastal towns were flooded. The disaster also triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. It became a major turning point for tsunami warning systems and disaster planning worldwide.
Key Facts
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