When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Free trial

30-days free access, then $2.90
per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Geopolitics

Oklahoma Tornado: Toll Adjusted As Search For Survivors Winds Down

CNN (US), THE WASHINGTON POST (US), REUTERS

Worldcrunch

MOORE – The search for survivors was coming to an end Wednesday after a deadly tornado tore through the city of Moore, in the suburbs of Oklahoma City. The tornado killed at least 24 people and injured about 240, Reuters reports, a revised toll after initial reports cited more deaths.

The work of emergency crews to find survivors among the rubble is almost over, officials said. Oklahoma County commissioner Brian Maughan told Reuters it seemed no one was missing: "As far as I know, of the list of people that we have had that they are all accounted for in one way or another."

Still, some residents have not been able to make contact with their relatives, CNN reports.

At least 24 people were killed, according to the state medical examiner's office."I think that will stand," said Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore. Among the victims were 9 children, including seven who died at Plaza Towers Elementary School.

Initial reports of at least 91 and later 51 deaths were erroneous, said Amy Elliot, chief administrative officer for the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. She told CNN that some of the dead people had been counted twice in aftermath of the tornado.

With winds reaching over 20 0mph, the tornado was classified EF-5, the strongest category measured said the National Weather Service. According to CNN, about 2,400 homes have been damaged in Moore and Oklahoma city, and 10,000 people were directly impacted by the tornado.

The area is now coping with the infrastructure and communication problems common after natural disasters: power failures, gas leaks, lack of water, poor cellphone service, the Washington Post reports.

Before and after picture of #Oklahoma Tornado Destruction. #WordsCannotExpress twitter.com/PatriotLemonad…

— Patriot Lemonade (@PatriotLemonade) 22 mai 2013

Photo: flummery: dangordon: A picture a friend of mine sent me leaving Moore. He is okay. #okwx #oklahoma... tmblr.co/ZwVpbylZRsB1

— Drucilla B. Blood (@drublood) 22 mai 2013

PICTURE: The #tornado over #Moore #Oklahoma, captured by Nasa satellite bbc.in/13Il7cb twitter.com/BBCWorld/statu…

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) 21 mai 2013

Real picture from a volunteer that went to help after the #Moore #Oklahoma #Tornado today. Absolutely #Chilling twitter.com/Anony_Mystique…

— AnonyMystique (@Anony_Mystique) 22 mai 2013

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Society

How WeChat Is Helping Bhutan's Disappearing Languages Find A New Voice

Phd candidate Tashi Dema, from the University of New England, discusses how social media apps, particularly WeChat, are helping to preserve local Bhutanese languages without a written alphabet. Dema argues that preservation of these languages has far-reaching benefits for the small Himalayan country's rich culture and tradition.

A monk in red performing while a sillouhet of a monk is being illuminated by their phone.

Monk performing while a sillouheted monk is on their phone

Source: Caterina Sanders/Unsplash
Tashi Dema

THIMPHU — Dechen, 40, grew up in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Her native language was Mangdip, also known as Nyenkha, as her parents are originally from central Bhutan. She went to schools in the city, where the curriculum was predominantly taught in Dzongkha, the national language, and English.

In Dechen’s house, everyone spoke Dzongkha. She only spoke her mother tongue when she had guests from her village, who could not understand Dzongkha and during her occasional visits to her village nestled in the mountains. Her mother tongue knowledge was limited.

✉️ You can receive our Bon Vivant selection of fresh reads on international culture, food & travel directly in your inbox. Subscribe here.

However, things have now changed.

With 90% of Bhutanese people using social media and social media penetrating all remotes areas in Bhutan, Dechen’s relatives in remote villages are connected on WeChat.

Keep reading...Show less

The latest