Joplin tornado death toll rises to 132

JOPLIN, Mo. – The death toll from the savage tornado that tore through Joplin, Missouri, has climbed to 132.

City spokeswoman Lynn Onstot confirmed the new number to The Associated Press on Friday.

The number was announced just before government officials were expected to update the public on their efforts to determine the status of 232 people believed to be missing in the storm’s wake.

Authorities had said they believed many of the missing were alive and safe but simply hadn’t been in touch with friends and family.

But officials also had cautioned that at least some of the people on the list were likely among the dead.