Fears rise cyclone death toll could soar

PATUAKHALI, Bangladesh-- Bangladesh's death toll from Cyclone Sidr has reached an estimated 2,000 people, officials said Sunday, amid fears that it could skyrocket to five times that number.

The chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said he is concerned the deaths blamed on Thursday's Category 4 cyclone could reach between 5,000 and 10,000.

Thousands are missing, while an estimated 280,000 others are unable to return to their homes that the storm wiped away in the impoverished South Asian nation. (More on CNN)

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UPDATE

Myanmar cyclone death toll exceeds 22,000

YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- A Myanmar government radio station said Tuesday that more than 22,000 people are dead and 41,000 missing after the catastrophic cyclone that battered the country.

A news broadcast on the state-run station said Tuesday that 22,464 people had been confirmed dead from Cyclone Nargis. The broadcast added that 41,000 more were missing.

The U.N. estimated up to a million could be homeless. (More on CNN)