Doubts Surround India's Official Covid-19 Death Toll

Deaths swelled by a record 4,205, while infections rose to 348,421 in 24 hours, health ministry data showed. Experts believe the actual numbers could be five to 10 times higher

NEW DELHI

India’s coronavirus death toll passed 250,000 on Wednesday but comparisons of official data with those from people on the frontlines suggested the true number is several times higher.

Deaths swelled by a record 4,205 while infections rose 348,421 in the 24 hours to Wednesday, health ministry data showed.

Experts believe the actual numbers could be five to 10 times higher, however.

Across the vast nation, the devastating Covid-19 wave has overwhelmed hospitals with patients and crematoriums with bodies, and many coronavirus deaths are not being properly recorded as such.

Experts say the official quarter-million death count is hugely underreported.

“Even three to four times would be an underestimate,” Anant Bhan, an independent health policy and bioethics researcher, said.

Harrowing images from overwhelmed crematoriums, graveyards, and even makeshift funeral pyres have highlighted the scale of the crisis.

Bodies of suspected Covid-19 victims have also been seen floating down the holy Ganges river.