28 May 2011

Haiti quake toll doubted - new report

12:10 pm on 28 May 2011

A draft report has cast doubt on the death toll in last year's Haiti earthquake and the numbers left homeless.

The report says far fewer people died in the earthquake than thought and many of those still living in tent cities did not lose their homes in the disaster.

The independent report, which was obtained by the AFP news agency, is based on a survey commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development. It is dated 13 May.

It says the number of deaths is estimated between 46,000 - 85,000 and not the accepted toll of 250,000.

It also questions official United Nations figures that about 680,000 people remain homeless.

The study shows only between 5% - 10% of that number moved into the streets from wrecked homes.

The UN estimates 680,000 people are still in the camps. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred at 4.53pm on 12 January, 2010.