138,000 feared dead in Bangladesh cyclone
1991 - The worst cyclone to hit Bangladesh in the past two decades has killed at least 138,000 people. The cyclone slammed the coastal areas of Bangladesh at a speed of 233km/h, devastating Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Bangskhali, Chakoria, Kutibdia and Moheskhali. The cyclone swamped about a dozen islands and rescue officials said 20,000 people were reported missing. Thousands of islanders were missing and the death toll could be much higher. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia appealed for international aid to help the country recover from its worst typhoon in 20 years. “Destruction of property and crops has been on a massive scale and it will be impossible for Bangladesh to tackle the situation alone,” Zia said.
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