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Typhoon Death Toll Closer to 2,000, Not 10,000 as Widely Estimated

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Relief Efforts Continue After Typhoon Haiyan's Destruction
TACLOBAN, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 12: A woman carrying a child cries as other survivors of Typhoon Haiyan wait to board a C130 aircraft during the evacuation of hundreds of survivors of Typhoon Haiyan on November 12, 2013 in Tacloban, Philippines. Four days after the typhoon devastated the region many have nothing left, they are without food or power and most lost their homes. Around 10,000 people are feared dead in the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)Getty Images—2013 Getty Images
By TIME Staff

Since Supertyphoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on Friday, a well-publicized estimate that the storm killed 10,000 people has circulated throughout several news outlets. However, President Benigno Aquino III told CNN on Tuesday that those numbers were far too high.

“So far 2,000, about 2,500, is the number we are working with as far as deaths are concerned,” he said. A total of 1,774 bodies have been counted, and 2,487 people were injured.

The monster storm left a scene of devastation in its wake. At least 800,000 people have been displaced on six Philippine islands, the U.N. said Tuesday.

[CNN]

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