rookie
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 92
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Post by rookie on Dec 26, 2004 10:59:37 GMT -5
At least 257 people have died on Thailand's western coast after a massive earthquake hit the region. Especially hurt were Phuket and the island of Ko Phi Phi. I actually do know someone vacationing in Thailand at the moment, so for some it hits closer to home. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4125847.stm |
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Post by Libby on Dec 26, 2004 12:50:04 GMT -5
This is really horrific. The death toll is nearing 10,000 and it will probably go much higher. The worst seems to be in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.
Truly, truly horrific.
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Post by LHR02 on Dec 26, 2004 15:48:19 GMT -5
11,600 now and still climbing.....as it surely it will as they get further into the remote areas. This is probably one of the most terrible disasters in my lifetime.....horrid!
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Post by Libby on Dec 26, 2004 16:13:10 GMT -5
The numbers are going to continue to rise for a few days yet. There are reports of at least 10 dead and others missing in Somalia. A tidal wave hit parts of that countries coast. The numbers coming out of Sri Lanka don't include the toll from rebel controlled areas of the country. That leaves a lot of territory with no official way to report what's happening. The BBC is also reporting that land mines have been loosened by the flood waters and that explosions have occured. I have a friend who works in Sri Lanka  |
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Twizzla
Full Travel Member
Posts: 37
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Post by Twizzla on Dec 27, 2004 2:48:02 GMT -5
The death toll is at 14,000 now... its awful, all those lives lost Our neighbours over the road are from Sri Lanka, and just got back a few days ago... there are over 200 New Zealanders unaccounted for, it seems this disaster is going to affect everyone. |
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Post by jennifer on Dec 27, 2004 9:35:53 GMT -5
Wow, this is massive. It's so sad... I mean it seems to always be this part of the globe that is hit with these things... My heart goes out to all of you out there living with the aftermath... |
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Post by LHR02 on Dec 28, 2004 4:03:47 GMT -5
This is incomprehensible! News this morning is saying death toll could reach 42,000......42,000?! How can one even get your mind around such a figure. Tragic.
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Post by me on Dec 28, 2004 10:31:55 GMT -5
i've read that this is the worst natural disaster ever.
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Post by LHR02 on Dec 28, 2004 13:14:13 GMT -5
Drudge reporting now that it will top 60,000.....and that is before the disease they anticipate to come.  |
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Post by Libby on Dec 28, 2004 13:45:03 GMT -5
I don't know if it will be the worst natural disaster in history. How many died in Pompaii? Or during the plaque? What about during the famine in Ethiopia? I don't know if we can compare them. But it may be the worst natural disaster in televised history and that means it should also become the biggest relief effort in history. There are reports onn the CBC of one Indonesian village that is reporting 10,000 dead. That's just one village that was isolated and unable to report before. The number could top 100,000. It could top 1 Million if the world doesn't respond. Dehydration should be setting in about now. Famine and disease to follow. |
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Post by LHR02 on Dec 28, 2004 15:28:37 GMT -5
16,000 dead in Pompeii - much less 25,000,000 - 55,000 000 dead in black plague - depending on 'Europe' only or including China and the rest of the east 1,000,000 - famine in Ethiopia From my corner of the world: 21 C-130's arrived Monday fully loaded with water and food ( and do you understand just how much those planes can hold??) CARE feeding 15,000 in Sri Lanka on Monday morning 32,ooo,ooo federally pledged with almost half already released Doctors without border sent 32,000 pounds of medical supplies and vaccines on Monday morning with hundreds of American doctors and nurses enroute as I type this American Red Cross has over 5000 workers on the way now...along with millions in supplies Feed the children has 5,000,000 in food and supplies already in the air US military helicopters have been patrolling/searching/rescuing since afternoon of event Literally hundreds if not thousands of local private orginazations here have money/supplies/workers either enroute or ready to depart...be happy to supply list Every bank, grocery, retail store in my town has collection centers up and running...and filling fast...and the same can be said I am sure of nearly every US city Military mortuary teams on the ground with many more arriving to help with burial details people tend to look at US 'aid' as nothing more than what the federal government is doing....and forget the millions in private aid supplied. We are responding, as is the world. It irritates me to hear we are not. Shall we look at other countries? I can goggle out that info as well. Canada's is noteworthy indeed. This is private, this is personal, but I am sick to death of hearing about the selfish, evil United States. And off the subject...but my state, Florida, was devasted by 4 hurricans this year. Wonder what a google of aid we recieved would find? Let's look at the aid we got for 9/11? Don't get me started. and we are stingy? |
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Post by Libby on Dec 28, 2004 16:31:00 GMT -5
That comment wasn't directed at just the US Dustoffmom. It was directed at all wealthy nations of the world. It was also meant for governments, not the NGO's.
Also, I think his reason for saying that was to make sure what happened in Iran didn't happen this time around. Most of the promised Aid never materialized.
BTW...was it something said here that pissed you off? Was it something I said? I don't know why you mentioned Canada.
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Post by LHR02 on Dec 28, 2004 16:56:41 GMT -5
I already IM'd Kim....my final post here re this this.....You have consistently voiced a strong anti US opinon which is surely your right. But it does get old on a travel board. This is not the place for personal opinons and snide remarks and I am done bitiing my tongue about it. Why did I mention Canada? Hmmm...they/you initially pledged 1 million and 'raised' it to 3 million today. And yet cheer when we are derided as stingy. You do not have to like my country, and are totally free to deride me/us as you will. But not to my face....not without eventually getting a response. I do not think I have ever posted a derogatory remark about your country...even though I could mention your lack of an army, your total inability to maintain your own self defense, your deplorable medical system, et al. You have your government and you are happy with it. Far be it from me to criticize what works for you. However....do NOT presume to lecture me about my choices, my county's choices....you live yours and I'll do the same. However...if/when they attack one of your cities I can damn well promise you the very FIRST people outisde of your own to be there to help, to give aid, to provide defense will be the US military and US aid groups. I pray you will never need them....but if you do, you can sleep knowing they will be there. Quicker than any one else.
Kim...I am done. This has suddenly become an most unfiriendly place for an American.
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Post by Libby on Dec 28, 2004 17:10:30 GMT -5
No, don't leave. If it's me that is upsetting you then I'll go. You were here long before I was.
I'm sorry Kim. I had no idea. Forgive me.
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Post by Kim on Dec 28, 2004 17:33:02 GMT -5
While I realize everyone has their own opinions, I encourage everyone to remember the fact that this site and these boards focus on European travel.
Politics are not something I want these boards to dwell on as everyone has their own opinions and we don't need to get into that.
No one needs to leave, we all just need to get a grip here and realize what the focus is. I am one person running this site and these boards and let me tell you, I do not have time for this.
Let's take a reality check here and remember what's important - think of the 22,000 people that have DIED in this tragedy, that is the real heartbreak.
This thread is being locked - everyone go take a deep breath.
Kim
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