Rush to collect DNA data as bodies begin to decompose

BANGKOK: -- Ministry of Public Health officials this morning rushed to collect data on the thousand-plus people who were killed on Sunday when tidal waves smashed into the southern coastline, but warned that it was a race against the clock as the bodies began to decompose.

As rescue workers recovered more corpses from southern beaches, Dr. Phiphat Yingseri, deputy permanent secretary for public health, said that health officials were rushing to get photographs, DNA evidence and background information on bodies that were already beginning to rot.

The bodies might receive temporary burial until a more permanent solution could be found, he said.

Today Air Force planes began airlifting some of the injured survivors of Sunday’s tragedy to hospitals in Bangkok, where Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital is coordinating relief operations and finding beds in private and public sector hospitals for the victims.

Around 200 volunteer doctors and nurses, many of them retired, have already set off to the south to help victims on the ground, while ambulances are carting off survivors to hospitals in Surat Thani and Hat Yai. Chiang Mai University is also sending three teams of medical students to the south.

The Department of Land Transportation has meanwhile sent buses to Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga to help transport Thais and foreigners who want to get away from the afflicted areas or return to Bangkok.

--TNA 2004-12-28

I take advantage of the main forum to spread the word that blood donating is still highly requested.

Not only in Phuket but also in all the other places like Koh Samui or wherever you find a hospital. Especially rh. negativ is wanted but all other blood groops as well.