'Search surge' finds more bodies in Japan

A search for missing people in Japan, conducted by the Japanese and U.S. militaries, led to the discovery of nearly 70 more bodies from the earthquake and tsunami, authorities said Sunday.

Joint Task Force Tohoku, overseeing the search, said it was a joint three-day effort by land, sea, and air. It was conducted from 8 a.m. until sundown.

Between Friday morning and Sunday afternoon, the 69 bodies were found, the task force said. The operation was timed to coincide with spring low tides which concentrated floating debris and allowed searchers to access tidal flats.

The overall confirmed death toll from the March 11 quake and tsunami stands at 12,087, according to Japan's National Police Agency. Another 15,552 are missing or unaccounted for and 2,876 are injured.