Haiti storm toll climbing
2004-09-24 13:26
Port-Au-Prince - Widespread flooding and mudslides have killed 1 105 people, officials said on Thursday, while 1 250 people remain missing after Haiti was lashed by Tropical Storm Jeanne.
The death toll could surpass 2 000, according to one civil defence official.
Gonaives, the city hardest-hit by the flooding, has lost at least 1 013 people. Authorities there have buried corpses in common graves. And close to 100 Haitians have died in other areas of this Caribbean nation.
Dieufort Delorge, communications director for civil defence, said 901 injured persons have received medical attention at health clinics set up by soldiers on a UN security mission here.
Ten thousand others have taken refuge in civil defence shelters.
Civil defence officials said 4 050 homes were completely destroyed, leaving 297 926 people homeless.
- SAPA