Haiti toll up to 217,0000: minister

Thursday, February 11, 2010
WASHINGTON: Haiti's government raised the death toll from last month's killer quake to over 217,000 on Thursday, up from the previous tally of 212,000.

Interior Minister Paul Bien-Aime provided the updated figure to media, discounting reports that the toll had reached as high as 230,000.

"There are people who put forth the figure of 230,000 but we have counted a bit more than 217,000. These are verified figures," Bien-Aime said.

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