Bangkok--Dec 29--eTurbo news
(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Rescuers uncovered thousands of bodies in Sri Lanka, bringing the island nation's toll to 18,706, about 19,000 were killed in Indonesia, more than 4,000 in India and more than 1,500 in Thailand. Indonesia's vice president estimated his country had as many as 25,000 victims. New reports put the death toll be over 60,000.
New fears
Land mines in the war-torn Aceh were uprooted by tidal waves and flooding threatening aid workers and survivors as they head back to their homes.
Decomposing bodies, the heat, lack of clean water and other supplies may result to diseases, health officials said.
Aid
Rejecting notions that rich countries were being "stingy," the United States more than doubled its pledge of aid for victims of the Asian tsunami to US$35 million.
Aid agencies mounted what UN officials said would be the world's biggest relief effort after explosive quake-sparked tidal waves led to the deaths of over 55,000--a toll that officials expect to rise further.
Indonesia
Bali Crisis Center for Disaster has been established. Its advisory board is chaired by Feisol Hashim of Indonesia Marine Tourism Association and board members include Putu Antara of Bali Tourism Board, Nurjana of Tourism Bali Government and Al Purwa of Pacific Asia Travel Association-Bali. Each member of the board are said to have donated 1 million rupiah (IDR1 = US$.0001).
Hashim said he intends to ask hotels to help in a donation drive. He said he will ask hotels to install donation boxes at the check-in counter. In addition, hotels staging a New Year dinner party are asked to contribute a portion of the function's revenue, between US$1 to US$3 per person attendee.
Hashim also said auctions will be held to generate funds for tragedy victims.
The Maldives
The government of the Maldives has declared a state of emergency and appealed for help around the world in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.
The international airport, which lies just a few feet above sea level on an island of its own, suspended operations when the tsunamis struck on Sunday and reopened on Monday. Hundreds of foreign tourists were flown out.
Two Pakistan navy ships joined relief efforts, evacuating hundreds of tourists stranded on an island by tidal waves, a foreign ministry official said in Islamabad. The vessels were already in Maldives on a goodwill and training mission. They evacuated tourists and locals stranded on Meemu atoll, one of the worst hit areas.
Teams of engineers have been working round the clock to repair the extensive damage caused to telecommunication equipment by the tidal waves. Phone services have been restored to most of Maldive's atolls. All the equipment on four of the atolls was destroyed beyond repair and new equipment must be installed.
President Gayyoom visited the victims of the disaster in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and ADK Hospital in Mal?. During the visits, the President said the magnitude of the disaster was unprecedented for the Maldives and said that it would take time for the psychological and emotional trauma left by the disaster to heal.
Africa
At least 10 people, most youths, are now confirmed dead, while three others are unconsciously admitted in a Tanzanian hospital after the Boxing Day's fatal tsunami strike.
The Dar es Salaam area Police Commander Mr. Alfred Tibaigana said the people were killed while swimming in popular beach sites of Jangwani, Cine Club and Mikadi always flocked with thousands of people including foreign tourists spending their week-ends and holidays.
Two people died on Kenyan coastal beaches of Malindi - a small, historical and tourist town, famous for its beautiful beaches. At least, 10,000 local and foreign tourists were evacuated from cruise ships and other beach resorts in the coastal city of Mombasa, and the Kenyan minister for Environment Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka said the Kenyan marine forces were set in full alert.
On the Horn of Africa - 16 people were confirmed dead in Somalia, nine were reported dead in Somali's north-eastern coastal town of Kabaal and six in Elmaan town.
United Nations (UN) humanitarian officials, European and American diplomats in both Tanzania and Kenya fear the Somali death toll could stand between 38 and 62 people, or even more. Somalia has no central government in power or security authorities in place to deal with disasters and information flow.
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