Missing tally whittled to 10 in Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo., May 31 (UPI) -- The number of people unaccounted for after the devastating tornado in Joplin, Mo., has been whittled down to 10, state officials said Tuesday.

"As of today, the number of unaccounted-for individuals has been reduced to 10, from 232 on May 26, and our 24-hour a day effort continues," Missouri Public Safety Deputy Director Andrea Spillars said in a release.

The next-of-kin of 120 people who died in the storm have been notified, the department said.

A precise death toll from the EF-5 twister that hit the city May 22 has yet to be determined.

Missourinet reported the Public Safety Department said there are 146 human remains from the Joplin tornado but that some of the remains in the coroner's custody might be from the same person.

PoliticMo.com reported Gov. Jay Nixon praised the work being done to identify all the victims.

"These are public servants that have just done an incredible job and will continue till their tasks are completed," Nixon said.