Burma Cyclone Toll Leaps to 4,000

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. (More Burma stories.)