Burma death toll at 10,000

The death toll following a cyclone in Burma has risen to 10,000, according to the military regime.

Foreign Minister Nyan Win said the Burmese government also estimates 3,000 people are missing.

The UN says Burma has agreed to accept offers of international aid offers and shipments are being prepared at once.

Hundreds of thousands of people are without shelter and drinking water after Cyclone Nargis ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and the country's commercial capital Rangoon on Saturday.

Neighbouring Thailand announced it would fly in on Tuesday a first planeload of emergency assistance requested by the government in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

A Thai government spokesman said the ruling junta had asked for food, medical supplies and construction equipment.

Military authorities and foreign aid workers are struggling to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the Category 3 storm, which packed winds of 190 km (120 miles) per hour.

"The government is having as much trouble as anyone else in getting a full overview. Roads are not accessible and many small villages were hit and will take time to reach," said Terje Skavdal, regional head of the UN office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

A human rights group based in Thailand said Burmese soldiers and police killed 36 prisoners after a riot at Rangoon's notorious Insein prison in the chaotic aftermath of the cyclone.

The military junta, who renamed the country Myanmar, have promised to hold a referendum on a new constitution on May 10.

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