The government says it is possible that Mr Coke has fled the country
Jamaican police say at least 73 people have been killed in four days of fighting between police and gunmen, as authorities continue their search for an alleged drug lord.
Of these, 70 are civilians, including a number of suspected gunmen or gunwomen, and three aresecurity personnel.
The information minister said it was unknown whether the chief target of the operation, Christopher "Dudus" Coke, was still in the country.
In the country's capital, Kingston, security forces have been going from house to house in Mr Coke's Trivoli Gardens district an attempt to find him.
‘Urgent needs’
The new death toll marks a significant increase on earlier figures.
TIVOLI GARDENSContinue reading the main story
Located on Jamaica's south-eastern coast, far from tourist hub in northBuilt in late 1960s on grounds of a cleared dump known as the Dungle or "dung hill"Warren-like public housing project with population of about 25,000One of Jamaica's notorious "garrison" slums – described as "a state within a state"Power base of PM Bruce Golding's West Kingston constituencyInvaded in 2001 by security forces in search of illegal weapons; 25 people killed in three-day stand-offFour residents died in a similar operation in 1997Jamaica counts cost of battleWitness: ‘We got out fast’Profile: Christopher ‘Dudus’ CokeIn pictures: Jamaican unrest
Information minister Daryl Vaz said the authorities were trying to identify the dead.
Glenroy Hinds, deputy commissioner of police, suggested some of the dead had been armed.
More than 500 people have been arrested over four days, mostly in Trivoli Gardens where some people loyal to Mr Coke had pledged to support him at any cost.
Reports suggest the violence has not ended – sporadic gunfire was heard in the nearby slum of Denham Town.
Jaslin Salmon, the director of Jamaica's Red Cross, said he was trying to gain entry to the neighbourhood.
"We know there are people with urgent needs there," he said.
"We've also been told there are bodies in there".
Residents in affected areas have accused security forces of being heavy-handed.
"What we need is money and food," a woman called Marlene told Associated Press news agency.
"Coke, he take care the community. Not the soldiers, they just shoot."
Prime Minister Bruce Golding said earlier that he regretted the loss of life in the recent violence, and promised an independent evaluation.
The violence was sparked by a decision by Mr Golding to extradite Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges – for which he could receive a life sentence.
It reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition, with Mr Golding arguing that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls.
But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke.
Mr Coke, 41, insists he is a legitimate businessman and enjoys the support of many impoverished Kingston residents who see him as a benefactor.
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