Myanmar cyclone death toll tops 22,000

YANGON: The death toll from a powerful weekend cyclone that battered Myanmar rose above 22,000 with 41,000 still missing yesterday, state radio reported, as the international community prepared to rush in aid.

The radio service said 22,464 people have been confirmed dead from Cyclone Nargis, which tore through the country's rice bowl and biggest city of Yangon early on Saturday.

It said more than 41,000 were still missing, raising fears the death toll would soar.