SNAPSHOT-Latest developments after Myanmar cyclone
May 5 (Reuters) - Here are the latest developments on Monday following Saturday's devastating Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
HEADLINES
- The military government has a provisional death toll of 10,000, a diplomat says after a briefing from Foreign Minister Nyan Win. Another 3,000 are missing.
- U.N. says Myanmar accepts international aid offers, shipments being prepared at once. U.N. says hundreds of thousands of people are without shelter and drinking water.
- Soldiers and police kill 36 prisoners after riot at Yangon's notorious Insein prison in chaos following cyclone, Thailand-based human rights group says.
- Cyclone was a Category 3 storm, with winds of 190 kph (120 mph).
- Junta leaders say they will go ahead with May 10 referendum on a new army-drafted constitution that critics say will entrench the military.
QUOTES
"The basic message was that they believe the provisional death toll was about 10,000 with 3,000 missing," a diplomat tells Reuters in Bangkok after a briefing from Foreign Minister Nyan Win.
"Last time, they came here, just like ants, from where I don't know." - Yangon resident, comparing the reaction of security forces when they cracked down last September on Buddhist monk-led protests against the military junta. "Now I can't see any -- no army, no police."
"The lights went out, we have no water." - local trader, washing in a lake in Yangon. "The storm destroyed so much, I have to take a bath here."
"We know that it's several hundred thousand needing shelter and clean drinking water, but how many hundred thousand we just don't know." - Richard Horsey, U.N. disaster response office.
"The government indicated willingness to accept international assistance through the U.N. agencies. I'd say it was a careful green light. The U.N. will begin preparing assistance now to be delivered and transported to Myanmar as quickly as possible." - World Food Programme spokesman Paul Risley.
NEWS > Myanmar believes at least 10,000 dead in cyclone [nBKK190667] > Blackouts, shortages plague Myanmar city [nBKK188960] > States, aid agencies offer to help storm-hit Myanma[nSP220346] > Rights group says 36 dead after prison riot
[nBKK187023] > Myanmar junta criticised for proceeding with vote [nSP184797] > Aid agencies struggle to assess Myanmar cyclone dam[nSP133167] > Key facts about Myanmar
[nSP183492]
(World Desk, Singapore +65-6870-3814)
HEADLINES
- The military government has a provisional death toll of 10,000, a diplomat says after a briefing from Foreign Minister Nyan Win. Another 3,000 are missing.
- U.N. says Myanmar accepts international aid offers, shipments being prepared at once. U.N. says hundreds of thousands of people are without shelter and drinking water.
- Soldiers and police kill 36 prisoners after riot at Yangon's notorious Insein prison in chaos following cyclone, Thailand-based human rights group says.
- Cyclone was a Category 3 storm, with winds of 190 kph (120 mph).
- Junta leaders say they will go ahead with May 10 referendum on a new army-drafted constitution that critics say will entrench the military.
QUOTES
"The basic message was that they believe the provisional death toll was about 10,000 with 3,000 missing," a diplomat tells Reuters in Bangkok after a briefing from Foreign Minister Nyan Win.
"Last time, they came here, just like ants, from where I don't know." - Yangon resident, comparing the reaction of security forces when they cracked down last September on Buddhist monk-led protests against the military junta. "Now I can't see any -- no army, no police."
"The lights went out, we have no water." - local trader, washing in a lake in Yangon. "The storm destroyed so much, I have to take a bath here."
"We know that it's several hundred thousand needing shelter and clean drinking water, but how many hundred thousand we just don't know." - Richard Horsey, U.N. disaster response office.
"The government indicated willingness to accept international assistance through the U.N. agencies. I'd say it was a careful green light. The U.N. will begin preparing assistance now to be delivered and transported to Myanmar as quickly as possible." - World Food Programme spokesman Paul Risley.
NEWS > Myanmar believes at least 10,000 dead in cyclone [nBKK190667] > Blackouts, shortages plague Myanmar city [nBKK188960] > States, aid agencies offer to help storm-hit Myanma[nSP220346] > Rights group says 36 dead after prison riot
[nBKK187023] > Myanmar junta criticised for proceeding with vote [nSP184797] > Aid agencies struggle to assess Myanmar cyclone dam[nSP133167] > Key facts about Myanmar
[nSP183492]
(World Desk, Singapore +65-6870-3814)
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