128K Dead

May 14, Associated Press
Red Cross: Burma cyclone death toll could go up to 128K

The Red Cross says the death toll in Burma's cyclone may be between 68,833
and 127,990.

The government revised its death toll Wednesday to 38,491 and the number
of missing to 27,838. But the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies said the number of people killed is probably
between 68,833 and 127,990.

The Red Cross said it arrived at the figure by pooling and extrapolating
assessments by 22 other aid groups and organizations in 58 townships. The
total affected population is estimated to be between 1.6 million and 2.5
million, it said.

U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes also reported the same number for the
affected population. He said the death toll could be "in the region of
100,000 or even more."

The report issued Wednesday noted that "official government casualty
figures remain significantly lower."

The government says 34,273 people were killed and 27,838 are missing in
the May 2-3 Cyclone Nargis.

The Red Cross figure is the highest reported so far. The U.N. has said the
number of dead could be between 60,000 and 100,000.