The death toll from the massive tsunamis across Asia is heading towards 25 000. I imagine it will have risen again by the time I wake up tomorrow.
This report from NEWS.com.au seems to rate the 2 Australian dead as the most important story of the disaster running the details as the first line of their story.
TWO Australians in Thailand have been confirmed among nearly 23,000 people reported dead after a massive undersea earthquake-triggered giant tsunami waves across Asia.
More than a million people across the region are homeless after the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, the biggest in 40 years, struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra yesterday.
The earthquake triggered waves that reared up into walls of water as high as 10m as they hit coastlines in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
Agence France-Presse is reporting the death toll at 22,800 across southern and South-East Asia.
It is only natural to localise a story and look for the angle that most touches the people that will read or hear the report but it still seems a little strange.
The details of the loss of life of the baby from Perth are so tragic. Six-month-old Melina Heppell of Western Australia, was washed from her father’s arms as he tried to protect her from the tsunami that struck the Thai resort of Patong Beach.
Melina’s uncle Simon Illingworth told Sky News the family was strolling on the beach when disaster struck.
“They were walking on the beach trying to recover from Christmas Day and they saw the sea was gone,” Mr Illingworth said.
“So they had a look and thought, `what the hell was going on’, there was no water.
“And suddenly they saw this big wave coming and they ran, trying to get the baby out of the stroller.”
Mr Illingworth said they tried to outrun the wave but it caught them and threw them into a basement.
“(Melina’s father) was in the basement with water to the roof and he found an air pocket for two hours,” he said.
“He managed to get himself out.
“He thought he had the baby in his hands, but all he had was clothes. So the baby’s gone.”
I’m glad to see that the Australian government has already pledged millions of dollars to the relief efforts. I only hope that many individuals across the world will help top up the funds with whatever they can afford.
Our neighbours in this global village need us to reach out with something practical and they need it now.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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I read your post earlier today, and I’m ashamed to say that I’d been so busy and wrapped up in everything and I hadn’t even watched the news and didn’t know.
I’ve since heard all about it. It is so tragic and sad, that I am lost for words.I cannot begin to imagine the suffering of the poor people in those countries.
Your posts on this are truly touching and inspiring.
My prayers and thoughts are with all those that have suffered and lost in this catastrophe. Thankyou for the reminder.
I am also grieving for all those affected by this tragedy. Stories about individuals help to put faces on the people who went through this ordeal. I’m sure many more memories will be shared in the coming months.
Lord, please care for these people suffering.
so sad! and i’m sure there are more stories like that . . . we’ve been watching all of it unfold here in Canada . . . the BBC was especially good yesterday when CNN didn’t know what they should cover . . . our world is so connected . . . of course we give with $$$ but it would be so much better to lend a physical helping hand . . . maybe prayer is what will cover it all the best.