The
search for survivors of Monday's massive tornado continues in Oklahoma, with crews searching destroyed buildings and vehicles:
The official death toll stood at 51 Tuesday morning, but it was sure to rise. A coroner's office official said some 40 bodies have yet to be processed by medical examiners—roughly half of them children. More bodies could be hidden under the vast debris field, authorities warned.
Hundreds of people were injured.
While most major news sources continue to report 51 dead, there are
conflicting reports, however. According to Reuters:
Officials in Oklahoma City said on Tuesday that 24 bodies were recovered after a devastating tornado tore through Moore, Okla., a sharp decline from the 51 deaths they previously reported.
"We have got good news. The number right now is 24," said Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer at the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner's Office. The prior figure of 51 dead may have included some double-reported casualties, Elliott said.
Here's hoping.
President Obama has declared a major disaster; he will speak about Oklahoma at 10 am Eastern.
6:35 AM PT: The AP follows Reuters:
BREAKING: Medical examiner's office revises death toll from Oklahoma tornado to at least 24.
— @AP via SocialFlow