[dead]

Death toll

More than 23,000 people were killed by a tsunami triggered by a 9-magnitude earthquake in southern Asia.

These figures are preliminary and in some cases rough estimates by local officials:

• Sri Lanka: 11,500 dead; 1 million affected.
• India: 5697 dead.
• Indonesia: 4912 dead.
• Burma: 56 dead.
• Malaysia: 44 dead; 100 hurt.
• Thailand: 839 dead; 5000 hurt.
• Bangladesh: 2 dead.
• Maldives: 43 dead.
• Somalia: 100 dead.

About 3000 are feared killed in India's Andaman and Nicobar islands.

In addition, about 1300 people are missing in India's Andhra Pradesh.

QUOTES:

Indian vegetable hawker N. Arasu: "We are too scared to sleep. What if the sea rises again and takes us away in our sleep?"

American tourist Moira Lee, 28: "Our paradise turned into hell ... We saw a massive wave coming toward us and our waitress freaked out. She told us to run for our lives. So we just turned and ran for about a mile up the hill."

Boree Carlsson, Swedish hotel worker on Thailand's Phuket island: "As I was standing there, a car actually floated into the lobby and overturned because the current was so strong."

Sri Lankan hospital official: "We have got hundreds of dead that we have dealt with ... "I don't know what to do."

Marine colonel Buyung Lelana, Indonesia: "It smells so bad, fishy. The human bodies are mixed in with dead animals like dogs, fish, cats and goats,"

Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga: "We are not well equipped to deal with a disaster of this magnitude because we have never known a disaster like this."

Narasamma, Indian fisherman's wife: "I have been waiting for my husband and brother since yesterday. Around 40 people from my village have not come back from the sea. I am not sure they will come back as I can see wrecked boats floating in the water."

Mustofa, mayor in Sumatra: "We are making preparations for the funerals. Officials are being asked to look for coffins. I am hoping there are still enough coffins available."

[Taliesan]

Note to self: if you're ever walking on the beach and the tide suddenly sucks out hundreds of yards, don't stand there marveling at it. Turn and run.

[SirLurkedalot]

Prayers bump. Just horrible...

[2banana]

People were running everywhere and the first waves hit the road," he wrote. "They were not huge, not too destructive. They brought fish to the shore and people rushed to collect them. Smiling boys ran with fish dangling in their hands."

But the waves kept coming, stronger and bigger. He struggled to high ground with others, some of whom were carrying their dead.

I have read accounts when the same thing would happen in ancient times (such as Alexandria). The water would churn and then go out to sea exposing the sea bed and fish. Many of the residents would run out for the "free meals" just laying there. Then the water would come back in...

[thegreatbeast]

Such stories. It really must seem like the End Times if you are caught unawares by something as seemingly uncomprehensible (the waters being so dramatically drawn out and then surging back in). But the question can't be escaped, Why weren't more people warned? Once an earthquake occurs, certain things happen, where was the warning of tsunamis?

[Badray]

I just got this email message from a friend who was concerned about some family members who were there and caught up in it but amaziningly survived with relatively minor injuries.

---

"Thank you ever so much for your concern about Thomas and his family. Yesterday was a horrible day for us too. For a long time we did not know any more about the catastrophy than what spread on the news by CNN and other networks. For hours we and Mike had tried to get in touch with Thomas via his mobile phone, but it was impossible to get through. However, at around noon something happened which lightened our hearts. Our phone rang, and it appeared to be one of Thomas' colleagues from the bank. Apparently he had sent an sms to Thomas' phone, and Thomas must just by luck have been in an
area, where messages could get through. So Thomas, who himself had tried to call Denmark several times, immediately sent an answer back to his colleague reading as follows:


All well. Call my Father. Chaos and many dead people. We cry and miss you all a lot. Thomas.


Later in the day a call came through to us directly from Thomas. He told us, that the whole family, the 4 of them, had been in the water swimming, when the first tidal wawes came in. The kids who were closer to the beach ran in and up the hill side, whereas Thomas and Mette were whirled around in the water and ended up with various body damages. Mette had several ribs either broken or pressed in, and Thomas had wounds on legs and face. They were taken to a hospital about 30 miles from their hotel, and after initial examination they were moved to a local gym, where they have stayed overnight
and they are still there.


We have just learned that on Wednesday morning they are booked on a flight from Pukhet Island to Bangkok, where they will be a couple of days until travel arrangement can be made to bring them home.


Certainly, a disaster has been about to strike on our family, but thanks to God the Almighty and his mercy we have been spared. We thank God that Thomas, Mette, Caroline and Sebastian are still alive.



Love - and thanks again for your concern and prayers."

[expatguy]

Picture of the Tidal Wave approaching Penang Island in Malaysia.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[My Favorite Headache]

The bottom line here is people are looking to blame someone for this and no warning systems. You just can't.It is mother nature and she will always prove us wrong and in the end...WIN.