Death Toll From Myanmar Cyclone Nearly Doubles to 78,000

by Rob Walker | May 16, 2008 at 04:31 pm | 270 views | add comment

At least 77,738 people have died since the cyclone hit Myanmar may 3, with 55,917 others still missing, reported Myanmar state television.

Pressure continues to mount from the international community towards the ruling military Junta, which has refused to allow foreign aid workers into the country.

Authorities are cracking down on foreign media as well, with journalists facing intimidation at the hands of local law enforcement and any information being distributed by the government.

Previous NowPublic coverage here.

YANGON, Myanmar - The official death toll nearly doubled to 78,000 from Myanmar‘s killer cyclone Friday as heavy rains lashed much of the area stricken two weeks ago, further hampering relief efforts.
Myanmar state television said the official death count from the May 3 cyclone was 77,738, with 55,917 others missing.

The release of the figures led to dire warnings from the U.N. and renewed calls for the military regime to allow international aid workers access to devastated areas.

U.N. Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert criticized the junta for refusing to allow a French navy ship to deliver 1,500 tons of food, drugs and medication to the Irrawaddy delta using small boats.

Once the order had come there was little option but to do what we had been told. “I am a police captain. I know what you are,” the Burmese policeman had said, gripping my hand firmly and staring me in the eyes. “You should leave this town now. It is better for your own safety.”

The police officer may or may not have been worried about my well-being but he certainly did not want foreigners poking around his delta town that had overnight become home to more than 10,000 desperate refugees from cyclone Nargis. “You should be visiting the pagodas and temples,” he said.