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Asian tsunami toll nears 220,000 confirming worst fears

20 January 2005 1539 hrs



BANDA ACEH, Indonesia : The death toll from last month's Indian Ocean

tsunamis shot up to nearly 220,000 as Indonesia reported thousands more

deaths, confirming fears over the extent of the carnage.



Indonesia's health ministry upped its toll by almost 70,000 late Wednesday,

taking the number dead on northern Sumatra island to 166,320.



The figure, reached when thousands said to be missing were listed as dead,

conflicted with a tally of 115,000 from the social affairs department.



However it appeared to be reaching the numbers that officials including the

UN's chief humanitarian coordinator, Jan Egeland, had warned to expect.



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Asian tsunami toll nears 220,000 confirming worst fears.