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Burma Cyclone Toll Leaps to 4,000

Posted May 5, 08 6:33 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – The death toll in yesterday's Burmese hurricane has skyrocketed to 4,000, CNN reports, up from initial estimates of 350. State-run media issued a revised estimate this morning, along with the government's emergency plea for help. Another 3,000 are thought to be missing. Major relief work has already begun, with international groups coordinating a joint effort, but work was being hampered by the government's travel restrictions on foreigners.

The Red Cross was already delivering water, blankets, and plastic sheeting, but access to villages was severely disrupted. "We went out as soon as possible but there were problems with mobility due to debris and power lines down," a Red Cross spokesman told AFP.

Sources: CNN, Reuters, Independent (UK)

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In this photo released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, an electricity pole is seen knocked out after tropical cyclone Nargis hit Rangoon, Burma.   (AP Photo/ Democratic Voice of Burma)
This ADDS detail map shows the hardest-hit region with the path of Cyclone Nargis.   (AP Photo)
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, giant billboard falls on a street in Yangon on Sunday May 4, 2008. More than 350 people have died in Myanmar from a powerful cyclone that knocked...   (AP Photo/ Democratic voice of Burma, HO)
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, a tree falls over a car after tropical cyclone Nargis hit Yangon, Myanmar on Friday May 2, 2008. A Myanmar official says that a tropical cyclone packing...   (AP Photo/ Democratic voice of Burma)
In this handout photo released by the Democratic Voice of Burma, trees are uprooted as part of the roof falls on the ground after tropical cyclone Nargis hit Rangoon.   (AP Photo/Democratic Voice of Burma, HO)
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, people walk past fallen trees in Rangoon on Sunday.   (AP Photo/ Democratic Voice of Burma, HO)
This photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma shows some of the devastation Sunday following the tropical cyclone Nargis.   (AP Photo/ Democratic voice of Burma)
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United Nations • Burma • Myanmar • Cyclone Nargis • cyclone • Bangkok • aid • relief • Red Cross • Yangon • aid agencies


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