More Than 4,000 Bodies Found In Phangnga

[george]

More than 4,000 bodies found in Phangnga

PHANGNGA: -- The death toll from the tidal wave disaster in the South continued escalating while Phangna alone reported the figure at 4,000, said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suvit Khunkitti.

He said more than 20,000 tourists were vacationing in the tsunami-hit Khao Lak of Phangna last Sunday when the deadly waves smashed the scenic coastal town.

Mr. Suvit has been assigned to supervise rescue works in this southern province.

More volunteers would be needed to help search for more bodies, Mr. Suvit said, adding that the Public Health Ministry has set up a one-stop service center inside a building near Yanyao Temple to facilitate rescue operations.

He added that the Public Health Ministry was working on measures to prevent the spread of diseases which should be under control.

--TNA 2004-12-31

[dr_Pat_Pong]

More than 4,000 bodies found in Phangnga

PHANGNGA: --  The death toll from the tidal wave disaster in the South continued escalating while Phangna alone reported the figure at 4,000, said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suvit Khunkitti.

He said more than 20,000 tourists were vacationing in the tsunami-hit Khao Lak of Phangna last Sunday when the deadly waves smashed the scenic coastal town.

Mr. Suvit has been assigned to supervise rescue works in this southern province.

More volunteers would be needed to help search for more bodies, Mr. Suvit said, adding that the Public Health Ministry has set up a one-stop service center inside a building near Yanyao Temple to facilitate rescue operations.

He added that the Public Health Ministry was working on measures to prevent the spread of diseases which should be under control.

--TNA 2004-12-31

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From very bad to much much worse. So very sad.

[george]

Little hope left for most of 6,000 missing

Please note that the 4,000 deaths mentioned above are not included in the article below. The total death toll are a bit confusing right now. We will revert with updated totals.

/Admin

Thaksin holds out little hope for most of the 6,000 who are still missing

Prime Minister Thak-sin Shinawatra yesterday held out little hope for the thousands of missing tsunami victims, saying as many as 80 per cent of them were expected to have perished.

More than 6,000 people remained unaccounted for yesterday as authorities worked against the clock to collect the decomposing bodies of victims.

“Many people are still missing. About 80 per cent of them are likely to have died,” the prime minister said.

The confirmed death toll from the disaster that hit six southern provinces rose to 2,394 yesterday – at least 710 of them foreigners.

So far 1,583 bodies have been found in Phang Nga, 367 in Krabi, and 282 in Phuket – the three worst-hit provinces.

As of yesterday, official records showed that were 9,810 people injured and another 6,130 were missing.

If Thaksin is right about the fate of those still missing, the total death toll could jump past 7,000.

Natural Resources and En-vironment Minister Suwit Khun-kitti said yesterday that as many as 4,000 people could have perished in the Khao Lak area of Phang Nga alone, where several resorts are located.

Speaking during an inspection of relief work in the province, Suwit said about 20 bodies were found in a bus buried in debris near Khao Lak.

Thaksin said he had received calls of condolence from many foreign leaders.

He said he was also concerned about the restoration of the natural tourist attractions damaged by the tsunami waves.

Thaksin said more than 5,000 soldiers have been sent to join 20,000 local officials and volunteers in rescue and relief operations in the affected provinces.

About 100 “well-behaved” convicts were sent to join the search for dead bodies yesterday, he said.

Thaksin advised those involved in the relief operations to be “diplomatic” in order to avoid disputes, particularly those arising over areas of command.

“Everybody has gone to the area with good intentions. But the surroundings now are not comfortable – no toilets and lots of stench. When you are there with good intentions, you should be diplomatic and avoid foul language,” he said.

At least 2,000 bodies had piled up at Wat Yan Yao in Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district yesterday as the locals objected to their burial.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation yesterday issued an appeal to individuals and organisations for help in retrieving victims’ bodies. Those interested can fax a response to (02) 697 9219 by noon today.

In addition to a shortage of manpower in the search and relief operations, yesterday’s work was marred by rumours of an earthquake and more tsunamis.

--The Nation 2004-12-30

[george]

Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that 3,500 Swedes are still missing.

[mau]

The photos I took on 29 December in Khao Lak.

Khao Lak is wiped from the map and not one hotel standing straight.

http://www.island-phuket.com

/Some disturbing pictures inside, not for sensitive readers

Edited December 31, 2004 by Darknight

[george]

Phang Nga death toll soars

PHUKET: -- As rescue workers in Khao Lak continue the gruesome task of recovering the bodies of those killed in the December 26 tsunami disaster, the death toll from Phang Nga rose overnight to a staggering 3,689 corpses – more than double the figure reported at 4:30 yesterday afternoon.

The figures were released at 8 am today by the emergency center at Phuket Provincial Hall.

In the six provinces affected, the death toll now stands at 4,510 (2,092 Thai, 2,230 foreigners and 188 of unknown nationality).A total of 9,849 were reported injured and 6,475 people are listed as missing.

The fatality figure accounts only for bodies recovered; the actual number of deaths is probably far higher, as many people are thought to have been sucked out to sea by tsunami undertow and will likely never be recovered.

Of the 3,689 bodies recovered in Phang Nga, 1,662 bodies were somehow classified as Thais and 2,027 as foreigners. Identification is becoming increasingly difficulty as bodies decompose, rescue workers say. A total of 1,272 people were reported as injured in the province, with 2,123 people listed as missing.

In Phuket, however, the number of dead has been adjusted down to 279 (151 Thais, 111 foreigners, 17 of unknown nationality) from 282 yesterday afternoon. The toll of injured stood at 1,272 and 2,123 people have been reported missing.

In Krabi, there have been 367 reported deaths (108 Thais, 88 foreigners and 171 of unknown nationality), 2,649 injured and 1,913 reported missing.

Of great concern is the number of people missing at Phi Phi Don Island, where reports say only two hotels remain standing. Most of the island’s dozens of hotels and guest houses were located on a narrow stretch of sand between two beaches, which appears to have been hammered by the tsunami from both sides.

In December 2003, the Tourism Authority of Thailand reported over 33,000 arrivals on the island, with the average length of stay at hotels and guest houses being 2.7 days.

That would mean that, on average, some 1,065 tourist arrived on Phi Phi Don each day. Multiplying this figure by the average length of stay, there were probably no fewer than 2,900 tourists staying overnight on Phi Phi Don when the tsunami hit, and that figure would not include the number of residents, day trippers and workers.

The number of people on the island was probably higher, given all the new hotel construction on Phi Phi over the past year, and the fact that occupancy would have been high with the New Year’s Holiday approaching.

Unfortunately, there are no figures currently available as to how many people were rescued from the Phi Phi Islands to help in estimating the actual number of missing.

--Phuket Gazette 2004-12-31

[rodcourt49]

More than 4,000 bodies found in Phangnga

PHANGNGA: --  The death toll from the tidal wave disaster in the South continued escalating while Phangna alone reported the figure at 4,000, said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suvit Khunkitti.

He said more than 20,000 tourists were vacationing in the tsunami-hit Khao Lak of Phangna last Sunday when the deadly waves smashed the scenic coastal town.

Mr. Suvit has been assigned to supervise rescue works in this southern province.

More volunteers would be needed to help search for more bodies, Mr. Suvit said, adding that the Public Health Ministry has set up a one-stop service center inside a building near Yanyao Temple to facilitate rescue operations.

He added that the Public Health Ministry was working on measures to prevent the spread of diseases which should be under control.

--TNA 2004-12-31

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[Lord Toad]

There is a interesting report from an NGO who has just returned from Phagna

i have just returned after spending nearly 4 days in phangna province.

there are only a few things i am able to say right here now:

the death toll is beyond believe, we estimate somewhere around between 10 000 and 20 000 dead at least, but honestly, it is nearly impossible to put any number to it.

iutrede, with who i was in regular phone contact, has more information on the relatively few survivors. basically, very few seriously injured people, mostly lightly injured, the rest is dead.

the important thing though, for people who are looking for relatives or friends:

i am very sorry, unblelievably sorry, but i have to say it directly. i had to do that countless times in the morgue i have stayed the last four days, and it ain't get easier. if you have not yet heard from your missing poeple, chances are that they are dead. chances are that they will never be found, and never be identified.

a small minority of the corpses were gen swapped, in the morgue dr. pornthip worked. if your dead relatives were brought to wat yan yao in takuapa town, there might be a chance that they can be identified. but they are the minority of the thousands of dead and missing foreigners.

don't go to identify them either now in person, as it is not possible anymore. wait until later, when it is announced if, and where you could submit a gensample.

the basic problem was that during the three most crucial days nobody was there to work except a few hundred rescue volonteers, dr. pornthip, and locals. all these people did an inhuman effort, but of course it was not enough.

nobody else was there - no soldiers, no foreign aid organisations, no equipment other than pure manpower. and nobody who had the capacity to take over the organisation.

one personal request please:

don't ask me any questions, i am not in the physical and mental condition to answer any. i don't know who long it will take until i can digest what i had to witness there.

please spread that post wherever you can.

i am very sorry.

/edit

Edited December 31, 2004 by Darknight

[Darknight]

BBC reports 4510 casualties in thailand

1. Indonesia: 79,940

2. Sri Lanka: 27,268

3. India (inc Andaman and Nicobar Is): 11,330

4. Thailand: 4,510 5. Somalia: 120

6. Burma: 90

7. Maldives: 67

8. Malaysia: 65 9. Tanzania: 10

10. Seychelles: 1

11. Bangladesh: 2

12. Kenya: 1

[Akamai]

The pain and loss is inconceivable.

My partner was in Khao Lak with his father, mother, sister and brother-in-law. The brother-in-law decided to go diving on Sunday. The rest of the family were on a boat trip when the tsunami struck and watched in horror as Khao Lak ceased to exist. By the sheer brilliance of the Thai boat captain they survived and then spent three days looking for the missing diver. Thanks to the incredible work done by www.onethailand.com I was able to trace him (from London) arriving in a hospital in Phuket. They were reunited and evacuated to Bangkok. My partner will arrive home tomorrow having lost everything hew owned but with the biggest smile in the world.

The kindness, care and love shown by the Thai people, the rescue teams and the great guys at the British Embassy will never be forgotten. My heart, thought and prayers reach out to all those who lost so much. I will be in Phuket as soon and as often as possible.

[Darknight]

The pain and loss is inconceivable.

My partner was in Khao Lak with his father, mother, sister and brother-in-law. The brother-in-law decided to go diving on Sunday. The rest of the family were on a boat trip when the tsunami struck and watched in horror as Khao Lak ceased to exist. By the sheer brilliance of the Thai boat captain they survived and then spent three days looking for the missing diver. Thanks to the incredible work done by www.onethailand.com I was able to trace him (from London) arriving in a hospital in Phuket. They were reunited and evacuated to Bangkok. My partner will arrive home tomorrow having lost everything hew owned but with the biggest smile in the world.

The kindness, care and love shown by the Thai people, the rescue teams and the great guys at the British Embassy will never be forgotten. My heart, thought and prayers reach out to all those who lost so much. I will be in Phuket as soon and as often as possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Akamai, Nice to know that ours and others efforts to bring you the information do work.

good luck.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The pain and loss is inconceivable.

My partner was in Khao Lak with his father, mother, sister and brother-in-law. The brother-in-law decided to go diving on Sunday. The rest of the family were on a boat trip when the tsunami struck and watched in horror as Khao Lak ceased to exist. By the sheer brilliance of the Thai boat captain they survived and then spent three days looking for the missing diver. Thanks to the incredible work done by www.onethailand.com I was able to trace him (from London) arriving in a hospital in Phuket. They were reunited and evacuated to Bangkok. My partner will arrive home tomorrow having lost everything hew owned but with the biggest smile in the world.

The kindness, care and love shown by the Thai people, the rescue teams and the great guys at the British Embassy will never be forgotten. My heart, thought and prayers reach out to all those who lost so much. I will be in Phuket as soon and as often as possible.

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Thank you for the kind sentiments. I forwarded a copy to the Brit Embassy. Happy New Year.

[onethailand]

Glad to be of assistance, though I would hardly call what I do incredible work Most of the credit belongs to the people behind the scenes who treat and deal with survivors, the people who donate their resources, and the people who spend the time trying to keep everyone informed. All I do is try to keep it organized on one page

I share the frustrations of many people looking for information - but I take heart in knowing that the energy generated by these frustrations has borne some fruit. I only hope that all of us can be of more assistance.

[thaigene2]

Big thank you to thaivisa.com, George and the rest (and all of us, actually) for the ideas, facts, references, and general help. This site has been a source of very good info.

Therefore, the ThaiGene Disaster Information prizes go to the following local bodies. (Domestic award)

1st Place - Thaivisa.com

2nd Place - ITV

3rd Place - The Nation

Last place: Tied between TV3 and TV7

ThaiGene Disatser Information (International) Awards:

1st Place - BBC (television and online)

2nd Place - Reuters

3rd Place - AP

Last Place - United Nations Information Centre for Asia (Bangkok). Apparently unmanned due to holiday leave all last week. No recalls and unclear when Press Officers will return to the job.

[BlackJack]

a very quiet new year - only to wake up to more bad news - after looking at the pictures posted its a miracle that anyone survived

it is so surreal to see

once a paradise - now.............................

unfortunately the bad news will keep coming for weeks

it is comforting to see people from all walks of life working side by side to get through this natural disaster

[dr_Pat_Pong]

a very quiet new year - only to wake up to more bad news - after looking at the pictures posted its a miracle that anyone survived

it is so surreal to see

once a paradise - now.............................

unfortunately the bad news will keep coming for weeks

it is comforting to see people from all walks of life working side by side to get through this natural disaster

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

IMHO our members deserve a pat on the back too Thanks and Greetings to you all.

[soulsista]

Hi there. I just wanted to let everyone know I've found some really comforting articles on www.spirituality.com about this. Comforting in that they still my thought enough to be able to pray more effectively for all those suffering. There's also a forum to share thoughts.