Tropical storm kills at least 23 in Bangladesh

A destructive tropical storm from the Bay of Bengal roared into Bangladesh, killing at least 23, injuring dozens more and causing heavy damage, officials said. The Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency said the storm Thursday struck the southeast coastal areas in Noakhali, Bhola, Hatiya, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Swandip and nearby islands. The report said at least 23 people died in the storm -- 12 in the Noakhali area, seven in Bhola and four in Chittagong. CNN quoted officials that more than 1,000 fishermen who had gone fishing in the deep sea had been reported missing as communications in the affected districts remained disrupted. The BSS news agency said the storm destroyed more than 2,000 thatched homes as well as mosques and educational institutions in those areas. The storm also uprooted scores of trees. One district official told the BSS about 50 fishing trawlers had capsized in the storm. Bangladesh's Daily Star reported the storm, which started as a depression and quickly gained strength into tropical storm, ravaged the region for more than four hours early Thursday. Several heads of cattle also were lost while about 2,500 acres of crops were damaged. CNN said thousands of people were made homeless and had to take shelter in schools and other structures. the