Okla. Coroner Drops Death Toll to 24

Including 7 kids, but fatalities still expected to rise
Posted May 21, 2013 1:42 AM CDT
Updated May 21, 2013 9:14 AM CDT
At Least 20 Children Among Oklahoma Dead
This aerial photo shows damage to Plaza Towers Elementary School after it was hit by a massive tornado in Moore, Oklahoma yesterday.   (AP Photo/Steve Gooch)

The Oklahoma state medical examiner's office has dramatically dropped the confirmed death toll in yesterday's horrific tornado to 24, reports the AP. A spokeswoman said that some bodies were apparently counted twice in the chaotic aftermath of the storm, and that confusion was exacerbated by knocked-out communication lines. Seven children are among the dead, and the ME's office says the overall death toll is still expected to climb as rescue teams continue to search through rubble. Officials had initially reported 51 deaths. Click for more. (More Oklahoma stories.)

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