Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT,
Thursday, January 06, 2005, Vol. 9, No. 006
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
World Health Appeals For Anti-Disease Funding
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: In response to last week's devastating tsunami, the
World Health Organization (WHO) today announced that it needs US$ 60 million
to address urgent public health needs, most importantly in preventing
outbreaks of water-borne and other infectious diseases. The WHO appeal
forms part of the United Nations emergency flash appeal for victims of the
tsunami.
If basic needs, particularly access to safe drinking water, are not urgently
restored to all populations by the end of this week, WHO fears that
outbreaks of infectious disease could result in a similar number of
fatalities as occurred due to the direct impact of the tsunami.
WHO has already sent millions of water purification tablets to Southeast
Asia and mobilized health emergency kits containing basic medical supplies
for
more than two million people for a period of three months, as well as
surgical
equipment for more than 10 000 operations and emergency treatment of
diarrhea diseases (such as cholera and dysentery) for more than 15 000
people. While this aid is now reaching many locations, access to safe
drinking water remains inadequate, particularly in Aceh, Indonesia, and the
eastern coast of Sri Lanka.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Lee Jong-wook, who is currently in Jakarta,
Indonesia, said: "We are extremely concerned about the ongoing lack of
access to basic needs. Five million people have been severely affected by
the tsunamis. We now estimate that as many as 150 000 people are at extreme
risk, if a major disease outbreak in the affected areas occurs. The most
urgent
need now is to make sure everyone has access to safe drinking water."
Tsunami Donations May Deplete Funds Elsewhere
WASHINGTON: The Washington Post reports that as pledges from the world's
governments neared the $4 billion mark yesterday for countries battered by
the
Indian Ocean tsunami, international aid officials and development experts
voiced concern that the outpouring of generosity may deplete resources for
other pressing needs in much poorer countries.
Despite the immense loss of life, economists widely agree that the tsunami's
economic toll appears modest and will not significantly affect growth, even
in hard-hit countries such as Indonesia, because industrial areas, ports,
and other major infrastructure were largely spared.
But the images of devastation have sparked an unprecedented amount of
donations by governments and people -- including million-dollar checks
written by multinational corporations, gifts from rock groups such as Linkin
Park and a benefit show being planned by Irish comedians. Heartening as
that response may be, aid experts worry, the contributions will divert donor
funds from lower-visibility but lethal problems such as the malaria,
diarrhea and other preventable diseases that kill an estimated 6,500
Africans each day.
More Ships, Helicopters Arrive to Aid Tsunami Victims
By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: Navy helicopters continue to airlift aid to thousands of
people left struggling for survival due to the earthquake-generated tsunami
that hit Indian Ocean nations from Indonesia to Somalia.
The helicopters – part of newly named Operation Unified Assistance – are
delivering supplies to parts of the Indonesian province of Aceh, the
epicenter
for the disaster. Aceh lost almost 100,000 people Dec. 26, and officials
estimate that more than 155,000 people died across the region.
Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Indonesia and received a look at the
affected area today. "In the course of my career, I've been in war and I've
been
through a number of hurricanes, tornadoes and other relief operations, but I
have never seen anything like this," Powell said during a news conference
following the tour. He noted he saw during his overflight of Bandar Aceh
"how the wave came ashore, pushing everything in its path – cars, ships,
freighters overturned, all the way up to the foothills, and then starting up
the foothills until finally the waves came to a stop."
"I cannot begin to imagine the horror that went through the families and all
of the people who heard this noise coming and then had their lives snuffed
out by this wave," he continued. "The power of the wave to destroy bridges,
to destroy factories, to destroy homes, to destroy crops, to destroy
everything in its path is amazing."
Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India were hardest hit by the tsunami,
although Somalia – more than 3,000 miles all the way across the Indian Ocean
– lost at least 200 people due to the waves.
U.S. Pacific Command officials stressed that the affected nations themselves
are directing the relief operations. "The U.S. role is to support these
efforts by
responding to these nations to our fullest capability," said Navy Capt.
Rodger
Welch, an operations specialist with the command. "Our mission remains to
minimize the loss of life and to mitigate human suffering."
Some 20 U.S. naval vessels are in the region and 85 U.S. military aircraft
are
working to deliver supplies to the survivors. U.S. service members have
delivered more than 610,000 pounds of relief supplies to the region. In the
last 24 hours, U.S. helicopters delivered 5,560 pounds of water, 142,940
pounds of food and 2,100 pounds of supplies.
Beginning Jan. 6, six maritime pre-positioning ships will begin arriving
in
the region. These ships carry supplies and a built-in capacity for making
and pumping fresh water.
Excerpted From: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT,
Wednesday, January 05, 2005, Vol. 9, No. 005
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
Secretary Powell Arrives in Aceh
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has taken
a first-hand look at the tsunami-ravaged Indonesian province of Aceh by
helicopter, saying he was shocked by what he saw, CNN reported.
"I have never seen anything like this," Powell, a military veteran, told
reporters
at a news conference in Banda Aceh following a two-hour helicopter tour of
the surrounding area with the Florida governor, President Bush's brother.
"We've all seen pictures on our television sets and in our newspapers of the
damage that occurred here, but only by seeing it in person from a helicopter
flying low over the city can you get a real appreciation of what it must
have been like when the tsunami came through and caused so much death and
destruction."
Banda Aceh airport is the nerve center of the relief effort following
the disaster that has killed at least 94,000 people on the northwest end of
the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Earlier, Powell said the United States was throwing its financial and
military weight into southern Asian relief efforts, not to gain favor in the
Islamic world, but because it's what Americans do.
The opportunity for Muslims to see "American values in action" is a welcome
byproduct, he said. "The United States is responding the way it is because
this is a human catastrophe," the secretary said at a news conference after
his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia Tuesday.
U.S. to Double Number of Helicopters
WASHINGTON: The U.S. military says it will double the number of
helicopters operating in the tsunami-stricken regions from 46 to more than
90, in a bid to help speed aid to desperate survivors in remote areas,CNN
reports.
The helicopters, which are proving to be the best way to get food, water and
medicine to areas where many roads are cut off, will come from U.S. assets
in South Korea and Guam, the commander of U.S.forces in the Pacific said on
Tuesday.
In addition, three ships loaded with helicopters are en route to the region,
including the amphibious assault ships, USS Fort McHenry from Okinawa and
USS Niagara Falls from Guam, as well as the Marine Corps' WestPac Express,
also from Okinawa.
Admiral Describes Tsunami Response
By Samantha L. Quigley. American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: The top U.S. commander in the Pacific described his
command's response to the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster to reporters at the
Pentagon today and praised the work of service members involved in
the relief effort.
Navy Adm. Thomas Fargo, head of U.S. Pacific Command, said PACOM began
planning its relief efforts within 24 hours of the catastrophe. By Dec. 27,
he said, command officials were communicating with ambassadors and senior
military leaders in the countries most affected. The goal, the admiral told
reporters, was to understand how U.S. military resources could be best used
to assist the countries.
"We see our job as one of assistance," Fargo said. "We are in support to the
host nation who is responsible for its citizens."
From experience in disaster relief, Fargo said, the command knew the
immediate needs would be drinking water, shelter, food and medical support.
That experience, he added, also taught officials the value of helicopters in
the aftermath of natural disasters that obliterate roads and scatter debris.
About 45 helicopters are deployed to the region now, with about that many
more on the way, Fargo said. These will join the mix of those from the USS
Lincoln and the USS Bonhomme Richard as well as foreign aircraft supporting
the disaster relief mission.
Joint Task Force 536 -- now designated as a combined support force – was set
up under the command of Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Rusty Blackman. From that
force, damage assessment teams were deployed to Indonesia, Thailand and Sri
Lanka. Those teams provided some immediate relief and reported the scope of
the devastation, Fargo said.
The admiral added that sending the USNS Mercy, a Navy hospital ship, is a
serious consideration. The ship is intended to treat trauma cases, but the
admiral said the relief operation "may be an opportunity to use the Mercy
creatively."
Fargo praised the efforts of those assisting in relief operations. "We
should all be proud of our service members as well as the other government
and
(nongovernmental organizations), all of whom are responding quickly, with
great energy and compassion," Fargo said. "They are putting an
extraordinary
humanitarian face on a particularly large undertaking."
The admiral promised the best possible effort in an endeavor that will take
time
to accomplish. "Over the next days, weeks and months, we will push forward
to provide aid and comfort, responding with a team of dedicated countries
and
organizations," he said. "And we will continuously improve our efforts as we
go."
Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT,
Tuesday, January 04, 2005, Vol. 9, No. 004
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
Bush, Clinton to Head Relief Fund; Tsunami Aid Continues
By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON: Former Presidents Bush and Clinton will head a fundraising
effort to get Americans to donate money to reliable charities to aid tsunami
victims in the Indian Ocean area, President Bush announced today.
The president also praised the way American service members have responded
to the unprecedented international disaster in the region.
More than 150,000 people are dead in the "arc of destruction" that spreads
from Thailand to the Horn of Africa, Bush said. He announced that U.S. flags
will fly at half-staff for the victims. The U.S. government has pledged $350
million in aid for the stricken area, and that amount could grow, pending
the results of ongoing assessments.
"We're showing the compassion of our nation in the swift response, but the
greatest source of America's generosity is not our government, it's the good
heart of the American people," Bush said. He announced that former
President Clinton and former President Bush will head a nationwide
charitable fundraising effort.
The U.S. military response in the region continues and grows, Bush said.
"American military assets in the region are now aiding recovery efforts," he
said. "Patrol and cargo aircraft have been surveying damage and delivering
supplies for several days. Air Force C-130s are flying aid missions 24 hours
a day."
The U.S. Navy's Abraham Lincoln Carrier Battle Group is off the coast of
Sumatra and transporting relief supplies by helicopter.
Plane Hits Cows, Stalls Relief Effort
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA: The world's efforts to pour aid into
tsunami-battered Indonesia hit a snag on Tuesday when Banda Aceh's airport
was closed after a supply plane hit a herd of cows on its runway. Hospitals
in the region overflowed with injured and malnourished survivor, according
to the
Associated Press.
Planes on Tuesday were grounded by the closure of the small airport in Banda
Aceh, the main city on the island's northern tip. The flying was left to
helicopters, mainly based on U.S. Navy vessels anchored offshore, to drop
food parcels.
No one was hurt when a Boeing 737 relief cargo plane hit cows after it
landed at Banda Aceh airport, but the closure of the runway highlighted the
vulnerability of the relief effort as waves of aid began pouring into
Sumatra, where an estimated 100,000 people died.
Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT,
Monday, January 03, 2005, Vol. 9, No. 003
ASIAN TSUNAMI DISASTER
Indonesia Reports 94,000 Dead
JAKARTA, INDONESIA: The Indonesian Health Ministry has reported that at
least 94,000 people in Indonesia were killed by the tsunamis that struck
Aceh on December 26 while many thousands more remain missing. In some areas
of Indonesia, the number of bodies are no longer officially counted as
authorities race to bury the decomposing corpses before disease can break
out.
Regionally the total number of dead is 155,000 and rising on a daily basis.
While no major disease outbreaks have been reported, health officials in
most of the countries agree that if a cholera or dysentery epidemic were to
break out, the number of casualties could double. Indian health officials
fear the toll could even reach 400,000.
World Leaders to Attend Disaster Summit Wednesday
BANGKOK, THAILAND: A summit of world leaders and representatives will be
held in Thailand this week to discuss how to co-ordinate tsunami relief
efforts. Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shiniwatra has told the international
community ahead of the summit that he no longer needs financial aid for the
country, instead was assistance installing a tsunami early warning system.
Thaksin asked the United States to lead the way in establishing a warning
system when he met with Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday. The Thai
Prime Minister said the reason he no longer wanted international aid funding
was because his country was able to provide more than enough required from
its own treasury and domestic relief funds.
Among the leaders meeting in Thailand on Wednesday will be U.S. President
George W. Bush, Secretary Powell, Australian Prime Minister John Howard,
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao,
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other world leaders. Thaksin
announced he won’t be attending but will send Thai Foreign Minister
Surakiart Sathirathai to represent him. United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan has also indicated he will attend the summit.
Late Monday Florida Governor Jeb Bush arrived in the region ahead of a
four-day tour of Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Agence France-Presse and News.com.au [edited] <http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11834500%5E1702,00.html>
First Communicable Disease Outbreaks Reported
ASIA: The first outbreaks of communicable diseases were now being seen
in areas hit by last Sunday's (26 Dec 2004) killer waves in Asia, a senior
WHO official said today, 2 Jan 2005. "There are increasing reports of
diarrheal disease outbreaks coming from displaced persons' settlements in
Sri Lanka, in India," said David Nabarro, the top official at the WHO
dealing with humanitarian crises.
However he said the initial signs were not cause for alarm, although
preventive measures and treatments must continue. "They are not causing us
alarm because we expect this," he said. "What we need to do is to make sure
that we continue to distribute all rehydration salts and treatment for
diarrhea and we continue to do our work in sanitation and water supplies."
The death toll from the catastrophe has now edged towards 126 000.
Tranmitted via: A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious
Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT,
AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA) OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER
ASSISTANCE (OFDA) INDIAN OCEAN - Earthquake and Tsunamis Fact Sheet #7,
Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 January 2, 2005
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE (1)
Indonesia
80,248 dead, 1,541 missing $
100,000 displaced $
Sri Lanka2
28,551 $ (official) to 46,000* (estimated) dead, 5,023 missing $
889,175 displaced, 12,482 injured $
India
9,067 dead, 5,511 missing '
364,200 displaced, 3.5 million affected '
Thailand3
4,798 dead, 6,384 missing $
10,469 injured $
Somalia
142 dead*
15,000 30,000 affected $
Malaysia
66 dead, 50 missing*
100 injured, 8,000 displaced $
Maldives
73 dead*, 42 missing $
12,200 displaced, 300,000 affected $
Source Legend:
U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
January 1, 2004
* International Media Reports, January 2, 2005 ' Government of India,
January 2, 2005
Total USG Humanitarian and Recovery Assistance Pledged $350,000,000
Total USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance Committed $27,766,808
Total USG Humanitarian Assistance Committed $37,366,808
Indonesia Pledges to Build Tsunami Warning System
JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Indonesia's president says Indian Ocean nations are
starting work on creating a tsunami warning system for the region. The
announcement comes as Indonesia's death toll from last week's earthquake and
tsunami nears 100,000 and the overall toll approaches 150,000 deaths.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Monday that Indonesia will join with
other countries around the Indian Ocean to create a tsunami warning system.
Thailand's government also says the system is a high priority.
"We also have to think seriously about setting up a monitoring and early
warning system in the Indian Ocean, which is lacking right now," said
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry.
Thailand will be the first stop for U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell,
who arrives in Bangkok late Monday. He will spend the next few days visiting
countries hit hardest by a massive earthquake and tsunami waves on December
26. On Thursday, he will attend an emergency disaster relief summit in
Jakarta.
-- Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-03-voa6.cfm
Resource Locator
Devastating Tsunami -- ABC NEWS ONLINE(Australia) - SPECIAL PRESENTATION
http://abc.net.au/news/indepth/tsunami/
Excerpted from: EmergencyNet News Service, Sunday,
January 02, 2005
Vol. 9, No. 002
ASIAN TSUNAMI DISASTER
245 Foreign Nationals Confirmed Dead; Thousands Still Missing
PHUKET, THAILAND: More than 245 foreign nationals have been killed in
the Asian Tsunamis government officials in the region confirmed on Sunday.
But the figure only counted those already positively identified and
authorities warned the actual toll would be much higher. Most of the
casualties were in Thailand, a popular destination for tourists.
Sweden appears to be the worst affected country with 59 of its citizens
confirmed dead and Swedish authorities estimating the final toll could be as
high as 1,000. Britain has lost 34 while the United States suffered 15
deaths, but the State Department said up to a thousands people were still
unaccounted for.
In Australia the government revealed 12 of its citizens were confirmed dead
but another 950 were missing, including 107 of which "grave concerns" were
held.
Despite concerted efforts of the international community the race to
identify bodies before severe decomposition is being lost in the hot and
humid climate.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced Sunday that more
Victims of Disaster Identification teams would be sent to the region but the
process to formally identify the deceased would be long and in many cases
the bodies of missing foreign nationals might never be recovered.
Other foreign national casualties:
Austria: 5 dead, more than 100 missing
Canada: 4 dead, 13 missing
Denmark: 7 dead, 14 missing
Finland: 4 dead
France: 21 dead, 18 injured
Germany: 26 dead, hundreds missing.
Israel: 4 dead, 6 missing
Italy: 14 dead, 600 missing
Japan: 8 dead.
New Zealand: 1 dead, 64 missing
Norway: 21 dead, 462 missing
Portugal: 8 missing
Russia: 10 injured
Singapore: 3 dead
Spain: 11 reported missing in Thailand
Switzerland: 9 dead
Effective Disaster Relief and Terrorist Guerillas Don't Mix
ASIA: ERRI Senior Analyst Clark Staten said that there were some
disputes concerning the death tolls in both Sri Lanka and Indonesia (Banda
Aceh), due to discrepancies in the numbers from areas under "opposition"
(read separatist or guerilla) control. For instance, reports of the number
of dead in Sri Lanka range from the official Sri Lankan Government total of
28,508 to more than 41,000, if estimates of deaths in opposition-controlled
areas are included.
Staten said that there have been no reports of insurgent attacks on relief
workers so far, but that security measures should be given due consideration
when planning relief and restoration missions to areas believed controlled
by "opposition forces." Staten also advised that there may be "information
operations" by insurgents in an attempt to use the disaster for political
purpose. There are concerns that the insurgents may issue dispatches or
anti-government communiqués, in an effort to exploit the tragedy.
Additionally, citing internal security issues, it should be noted host
countries/ governments may not be very forthcoming in providing either
services or accurate information about operations in these known
(opposition) regions.
International Aid Reaches $2 Billion
NEW YORK: The United Nations has reported that international aid for the
tsunami disaster has reached the $2.1 billion mark with the United States
and Japan leading the way. According to the latest figures Washington has
provided $350 million and Japan a total of $500 million.
Although the funding has been greatly received by the region according to
Jan Egeland of the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, donations of concrete
are also needed to repair airstrips in remote areas. Once the airstrips are
reopened, food and medical aid can be delivered quicker.
Mr. Egeland said the hardest-hit places were Sumatra and Aceh, which could
possibly account for three fourths of all casualties. These areas are where
the bulk of the international assistance will be directed once vehicle and
air access can be re-established.
6.5-Magnitude Aftershock to Earthquake That Spawned Tsunami Hits Indonesia;
No Injuries Reported
JAKARTA, INDONESIA: A 6.5-magnitude aftershock to last weekend's killer
earthquake hit off the coast of Sumatra on Saturday, sending frightened
residents running into the streets. No injuries were reported. The U.S.
Geological Survey said the 6.5 aftershock hit early Saturday morning and was
centered 215 miles west of Banda Aceh, the hard-hit provincial capital in
northern Sumatra. Aftershocks in the 4- and 5- magnitude range were also
recorded, officials said.
The 6.5 jolt was an aftershock to last weekend's 9.0-magnitude temblor that
spawned the devastating tsunamis that hit 11 countries and killed more than
123,000 people. "Unfortunately, large aftershocks are common after an
earthquake of this size," said Kathleen Gohn, a spokeswoman for the Golden,
Colo.-based USGS. She said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration issued an information bulletin saying that aftershocks of
that magnitude generally do not produce tsunamis.
Excerpted from: EmergencyNet News Service,
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Vol. 9, No. 001
ASIAN TSUNAMI REPORTS
ASIA: Indian Ocean coastal communities continue to pull bodies out of
the tsunami wreckage, but already there are questions about how in the age
of wireless communications, the Internet and 24-hour news, a catastrophic
wall of water was able to cross an ocean and devastate a dozen nations'
coastlines...apparently without official notice.
=======================
Tsunami Warning Timeline
Here is a timeline showing what Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
geophysicists knew, when they learned it, and how they responded.
(Hawai'i Standard Time Dec. 25 — some times are approximate)
2:59 p.m. — Magnitude 9 earthquake occurs in the Indian Ocean near Sumatra.
(Initially calculated at 8.)
3:07 p.m. — On-duty personnel at Pacific Tsunami Warning Center receive
automatic alerts of large quake.
3:10 p.m. — Warning center issues e-mail notice with preliminary earthquake
information. E-mail goes to Pacific nations, news media, government
agencies, individual subscribers.
3:14 p.m. — Warning center issues to its Pacific Ocean partners a bulletin
that no tsunami threat exists in the Pacific. 4:04 p.m. — Warning center
bulletin revises quake to 8.5, warns of possible tsunami near the epicenter.
4:30 p.m. — Warning center reaches Australia Emergency Management, which
confirms it is already aware of quake.
5:30 p.m. — News reports of casualties in Sri Lanka on the Internet give
Warning Center first confirmation that a destructive tsunami exists.
5:45 p.m. — Warning Center alerts U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu, and
receives query from Sri Lanka navy commander asking about further waves
generated by aftershocks.
6 p.m. — U.S. ambassador in Sri Lanka calls Warning Center to arrange
notification in case of aftershocks, and reports the embassy will notify Sri
Lanka prime minister's office.
7:25 p.m. — Australian-owned Cocos Island tide gauge, one of very few gauges
in the Indian Ocean, gives a modest 1 1/2-foot wave reading from trough to
crest. Harvard University Seismology Department reports earthquake magnitude
at 8.9.
7:45 p.m. — Warning center warns Australia Bureau of Meteorology of
increased calculated quake strength and the Cocos reading, and possibility
of tsunami strike on Australian west coast.
8 p.m. — Warning center reports to the U.S. Pacific Command the increased
magnitude and Indian Ocean tsunami threat.
8:15 p.m. — Australian Bureau of Meteorology reports it has issued tsunami
alert for nation's west coast.
8:20 p.m. — Warning center learns from National Weather Service that
military observed no tsunami at Diego Garcia in central Indian Ocean.
10:15 p.m. — Warning center alerts U.S. State Department operations office
about threat to Madagascar and Africa; warning center alerts U.S. embassies
in Madagascar and Mauritius via conference call.
Source: NOAA
===================
ERRI/EmergencyNet News Activities - Sat 12/25/2004 9:36 PM
* At 21:30CST on 25 Dec 2004/26 Dec 2004 in Indonesia, the Global
Watchdesk of ERRI EmergencyNet News service issued a warning and preliminary
report concerning a "A powerful earthquake has reportedly rocked Indonesia’s
northernmost province of Aceh on Sunday." It was pointed out at that time
that "There were conflicting reports on the size of the temblor, which
struck about 07:00 (local time) and was centered about 100 miles off the
west coast of Sumatra. Indonesian seismologists said the quake had a
magnitude of 6.4, but the U.S. Geological Survey’s Web site recorded a
magnitude of 8.5, considerably larger and capable of massive damage. There
was no way to immediately clarify the major discrepancy in magnitude being
reported." -- Source: ERRI server log, and transmitted message: "*FLASH*
Powerful Earthquake Strikes Near Indonesia/Sumatra," delivered to
ERRI/EmergencyNet News Subscribers, with summary thereof posted to the
public Emergency.com website.
* On Sat 12/25/2004 at 22:16CST, ERRI/EmergencyNet News transmitted a
copy of a USGS report, "Magnitude 8.1 - OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN
SUMATRA, 2004 December 26 00:58:55 UTC, Preliminary Earthquake Report, West
Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS." The lead of that report
said, "A great earthquake occurred at 00:58:55 (UTC) on Sunday, December 26,
2004. The magnitude 8.1 event has been located OFF THE WEST COAST OF
NORTHERN SUMATRA."
* At 00:30CST/26 Dec 2004, the ERRI/EmergencyNet News Global Watchdesk
issued an updated report that said: "Tsunami Waves Splash Across Asia;
Multiple Deaths Reported." The report lead said: "ASIA: Several disaster
reports are coming in to EmergencyNet News via Shortwave and other sources,
all suggesting that tsunami waves have struck multiple locations and have
caused hundreds of deaths. The Tidal waves are believed to be the result of
one or more powerful earthquakes in the area of Indonesia's Sumatra Island."
* About fifteen minutes later, on Sun 12/26/2004 at 00:46CST, it became
increasingly evident that a major event was under way as the
ERRI/EmergencyNet News Global Watchdesk reported another 7.3 earthquake in
the vicinity of the 8.1/8.5 and eventually 9.0 magnitude quake of Sumatra.
We transmitted the USGS advisory that said: "Magnitude 7.3 - NICOBAR
ISLANDS, INDIA REGION, 2004 December 26 04:21:26 UTC, Preliminary Earthquake
Report, U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center World
Data Center for Seismology, Denver, A major earthquake occurred at 04:21:26
(UTC) on Sunday, December 26, 2004. The magnitude 7.3 event has been located
in the NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION. (This event has been reviewed by a
seismologist.)"
ANALYSIS: In other words, the initial problem was confusion about the
size of the earthquake and an assessment of it's potential effect. If the
quake was 8.1 or 8.5 on the Richter scale...that was a very significant
quake and likely to cause tsunamis and major damage in the region of the
quake. If the magnitude was 6.4, as reported by official Indonesian sources,
the tidal waves, extensive damage, and loss of life were far less likely.
One might assume that the Indonesian estimate should be more accurate as it
was recorded far closer to the earthquake epicenter...but as events would
later show, the Colorado USGS report proved considerably cloer to the truth.
Our watch center dutifully reported the events as described by USGS and
multiple other sources, added analysis, and made the important information
public (in real time) as noted above.
SUMMARY of ERRI/EmergencyNet News Reports
All ERRI/EmergencyNet News Global Watchdesk transmissions as noted above
are available for review on a webpage, entitled "Coverage by EmergencyNet
News, Analysis by the Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI), Series
of "Real-Time Reports" -- 25 to 31 December, 2004 -- 8.9 Magnitude
Earthquake and Tsunamis Devastate Asia." This comprehensive summary and
refrerence can be found at can be found at:
http://www.emergency.com/2004/sumatra_earthquake2004.htm [This
page]
Excerpted from: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT,
Vol. 8, No. 364
Friday, December 31, 2004
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
134,000 Dead as Toll Continues to Rise
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: The regional death toll from the Asian Tsunamis has
reached 134,000 after the discovery of more bodies in the Tamil-controlled
areas of Sri Lanka on Friday. Officials now believe at least 40,389 people
died in Sri Lanka alone, but many more areas of the country have not yet
been investigated.
At least 10,000 people died in India, 33,000 in Indonesia, 1,600 in Thailand
and approximately 200 in Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Tanzania, Bangladesh
and Kenya combined. Authorities in Somalia said their unconfirmed death toll
was several hundred, but this has not been independently verified.
Late Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Sri Lanka and
offered his sympathy to the victims and their families. "This has been a
very serious blow to Sri Lanka and the need is great, and we will be working
with the international community to respond to that need."
"So we will be standing along with our Sri Lankan friends for the long haul
in order to deal with this tragedy," Secretary Powell said.
Secretary Powell also said that requests for U.S. assistance had been made
by the governments of Indonesia, Maldives, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Australia Deploys Force to Isolated Region of Sumatra
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA: The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be entering
some of the most remote regions in the tsunami devastated areas this weekend
after the departure of the HMAS Kanimbla from Sydney today.
The HMAS Kanimbla set sail for northern Indonesia with two Sea Hawk
helicopters and two shallow-water landing craft on board. Members of the
Australian Navy, Army and Airforce will provide ground assistance to areas
of northern Sumatra virtually destroyed by the giant tidal waves.
Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill also announced that The Australian
Defence Force is establishing a headquarters in Medan to coordinate ADF
activity in Sumatra.
Resource Locator
Animated Guide: The Tsunami Disaster
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4136289.stm
This page includes graphic explaining Tsunami function and how damage was
caused. Appears useful for the layman to understand how a tidal wave works.
Note: Requires Macromedia Flash player to view
Excerpted from ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT, Vol.
8, No. 363
Thursday, December 30, 2004
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
International Red Cross Reports 80,000 Dead
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRCS) said Thursday that the regional death toll from
the Tsunamis that devastated the region has risen past 80,000, with
expectations it may reach 100,000. Other reports suggest that the
death toll may already exceed 100,000.
“The scale of this disaster is growing by the hour. The devastation is
unimaginable,” said Markku Niskala, secretary general of the IFRCS.
Up to 5 million people remain affected by the disaster, many of whom have
lost their homes. Critical infrastructure remains down in most regions
with the rescue and recovery effort focused on helping the injured,
recovering bodies and providing food and clean water for the
survivors.
U.S. Military Support to Tsunami Relief Efforts
WASHINGTON: U.S. Pacific Command is sending a forward command element
(FCE) to Utapao, Thailand, to establish the command, control and
communication structure for Joint Task Force 536 (JTF 536).
Thailand's decision to allow use of this Thai military facility is welcomed.
The U.S. intends to use, with Thailand's cooperation, this military facility
as a regional support center for emergency and medical personnel providing
assistance throughout the region as well as a staging area for U.S. military
and rescue aircraft, forensic experts, and other relief assistance.
The FCE and follow-on JTF will coordinate U.S. military relief efforts in
the region. The FCE and JTF will work with the U.S. Department of State, the
U.S. Agency for International Development, host nations and humanitarian
relief agencies to identify requirements and coordinate relief efforts.
UNICEF: Safe-Water the Immediate Priority
NEW YORK: UNICEF warned today that without immediate, wide-scale action
to provide safe water in the communities hit by Sunday's massive ocean
flooding, millions of people will be at grave risk of water-borne disease.
"Standing water can be just as deadly as moving water," UNICEF Executive
Director Carol Bellamy said Tuesday. "The floods have contaminated the water
systems, leaving people with little choice but to use unclean surface water.
Under these conditions people will be hard put to protect themselves from
cholera, diarrhea and other deadly diseases. Children, who make up at
least one-third of the overall population in the worst-affected countries,
are particularly vulnerable to water-borne diseases.
Securing safe water supplies and educating people about water and sanitation
hygiene is a major component of all of UNICEF's tsunami relief efforts, now
underway in the hardest-hit countries, Bellamy said.
Water purification tablets and oral rehydration salts to combat diarrhea
were included in the first deliveries UNICEF made to hard-hit areas of Sri
Lanka on Tuesday. They also make up the bulk of two separate UNICEF relief
flights headed for Sri Lanka. A 45-ton shipment from UNICEF's global supply
center in Copenhagen is carrying primarily water-related supplies but also
includes emergency health kits, school supplies and recreation kits for
children; this flight will land early Thursday. A shipment of 20 tons of
tarpaulins and tents from Belgium is due to arrive in Sri Lanka late
Wednesday.
In India, UNICEF has delivered an initial 50 water tanks to Kanchipuram in
the southern state of Tamil Nadu, where the government has set up 200 relief
sites in seven affected districts. Under the leadership of state and
national authorities, UNICEF expects Wednesday to provide southern districts
with hundreds of thousands of water purification tablets, an additional
1,550 community water tanks (500 liters each), 200,000 sachets of oral
rehydration salts, medical supplies sufficient to serve 30 health centers,
and 30,000 blankets.
India to Build Tsunami Warning System
NEW DEHLI, INDIA: India said Wednesday that it would install an early
warning system designed to predict tsunamis, according to Indian
Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal. The system will take up to two
years to put in place and cost upwards of $US27 million.
29 Dec 2004
U.S. Not "Stingy"; Sec. of State Powell Says
Op/Ed - Commentary
WASHINGTON, DC: Secretary of State Colin
Powell on Tuesday indignantly rejected any suggestion that the response of
the United States to the Asian earthquake and tsunami catastrophe had been
insufficient, and he signaled that much more American help was on the way.
"The United States is not stingy," Powell said in a CNN interview. "We are
the greatest contributor to international relief efforts in the world." The
interview was one of several Powell used Tuesday morning to emphasize that
$15 million in promised American aid was just a first step. -- Source:
International Herald Tribune -- http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/12/28/news/policy.html
[ERRI Commentary on allegations above: In the "What's the Use Department"
Given the leadership statements and past policy positions taken by some of
the tsunami afflicted Asian countries, one might wonder why the United
States would even consider providing them massive amounts of aid...but, the
U.S. in it's normal magnanimous manner will undoubtedly rise to the occasion
and again provide the bulk of the help that is so dramatically needed in
this horrific multi-country tragedy.
And yet, once again, as America comes to save the day...we continue to be
publicly ravaged by our 'opponents' in the United Nations and elsewhere, for
"not doing enough." Rhetorical Question: Has the time come for the rest of
the world to try to just sincerely appreciate all that U.S. citizens do to
help make the world a better place...instead of callously demanding more? ]
Excerpted from ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT,
Vol. 8, No. 362
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
Indonesian Toll Passes 27,000; Region Passes 68,000 Dead
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA: Officials in Indonesia say the number of people
killed Tsunamis that struck the Aceh province was at least 27,174 as the
final toll in Sunday’s disaster rose above 68,000 people for the region. A
number of remote areas including parts of Indonesia’s Aceh province, the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands near India and the Maldives have not yet had
accurate casualty figures released because of their remoteness.
Latest Death Toll from Asian Tsunami Disaster
Sri Lanka: 18,031 dead
For information about local residents in Sri Lanka, call +94 11 536 1938;
for tourists the number is +94 11 243 7061.
India: At least 9,500 –
To contact representatives from India, call +91 11 2309 3054.
Indonesia: 27,174
Thailand: 1,010
Thai emergency hotline +66 2643 5262 and 2643 5000
Myanmar: 90
Malaysia: 65
Maldives: 46 -- Government hotline - +44 20 7224 2149
Tanzania: 10
Bangladesh: 2
Somalia: Kenyan media reports hundreds dead
Kenya: Kenyan media reports one death
Seychelles: Unconfirmed reports of deaths - For information on travelers,
call
+248 321 676
Mass Burials in Race Against Disease Outbreak
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA: Authorities were fighting to bury rotting corpses
in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami tragedy, the United Nations reported
on Wednesday. International and local volunteers were preparing to mass bury
most of the corpses in a race against the outbreak of serious diseases.
Medical experts from Australia said that Cholera and upper-respiratory
complaints had been reported in some areas of the Tsunami-affected area, but
no major outbreaks of disease had occurred yet.
One of the greatest problems facing humanitarian workers is restoring fresh
water supplies to the many areas where critical infrastructure has been
destroyed. The Center for International Disaster Information has reported
that sewerage systems in all areas have been compromised by the Tsunamis ,
which makes drinking or eating water that has been in contact with the flood
waters extremely dangerous.
UN Focuses on Fresh Water Supplies to Stop Disease
NEW YORK: With deadly diseases now stalking
the survivors of the massive South Asian tsunami that has already claimed an
estimated 40,000 lives,
the United Nations today turned to the urgent task of providing clean
drinking water and health care for millions of people and the longer-term
need for
an early warning system.
The destruction of water and sanitation systems "is causing a tremendous
humanitarian disaster," UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland told
reporters after meeting with ambassadors of the affected countries to
coordinate relief operations for the tsunami, which struck nearly a dozen
Indian Ocean nations on Sunday.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned that deadly diarrhea diseases
and acute respiratory infections can be expected from contaminated water
sources, and the ambassadors cited food, medicines, water purification
equipment, mosquito nets and even body bags among their priority needs.
“The immediate terror associated with the disaster in southern Asia may be
dwarfed by the longer term suffering of affected communities where the risk
of communicable diseases becomes a real threat,” WHO’s David Nabarro told a
press briefing in Geneva, where UN officials scrambled to mobilize
contributions to the relief effort at a hastily called meeting at the UN
European headquarters.
"We will need very substantive pledges," Mr. Egeland said of the flash
appeal that the UN will launch in the coming days, which may well be the
largest ever made. "I think this is unprecedented because very many
countries are involved."
Tens of millions of dollars have already been pledged, much of it to
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and he praised international
assistance as immediate and generous, noting that "there are dozens of
airplanes air bound as we speak."
He said the number of confirmed dead may be around 40,000 but it is still
rising. He is scheduled to hold another meeting with the ambassadors on
Friday.
UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams, including officials
from WHO and other agencies, have already rushed to many of the stricken
countries, while others are on standby for deployment where needed. WHO is
mobilizing funds for local costs and emergency supplies, emergency health
kits and other necessities identified during initial assessments.
Excerpted from ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT
Vol. 8, No. 361
Summary: Tsunami Disaster Toll Surpasses 26,000
THAILAND: The death toll after a series of Tsunamis struck 10
countries bordering to Indian Ocean has passed 26,000. Officials in
many countries now believe that toll will continue to rise as more victims
are found. Up to 60,000 people remain missing.
ASIAN TSUNAMIS DISASTER
One Third of Disaster Victims Are Children
NEW YORK: UNICEF reports that approximately one third of the 23,000
reported dead in the Asian tsunamis disaster are children. On Tuesday the
organization was rushing supplies to coastal communities across Asia hit by
massive tidal waves triggered by Sunday’s
earthquake.
“Hundreds of thousands of people fought to survive the tsunamis on Sunday.
Now we need to help them survive the aftermath,” said UNICEF Executive
Director Carol Bellamy. “For children, the next few days will be the most
critical.”
Survivors of the tidal waves that devastated coastal communities across Asia
killing more than 23,000 people at the weekend are struggling to find
missing loved ones and bury or cremate their dead.
“In most of these countries the population is quite young to begin with, so
we are very concerned about children who have lost their parents or may have
been separated from their parents,” Carol Bellamy said on Monday.
More than 13,000 people are believed to have died in Sri Lanka, 3,500 in
India, 4,500 in Indonesia and 866 in Thailand when walls of sea water
up to 30 feet high unexpectedly crashed ashore on Sunday morning.
Disease Fears as UN Rushes Aid to Devastated Areas
NEW YORK: The United Nations today rushed in more aid to the victims of
the devastating tsunami that struck south Asia as it prepared to launch a
flash appeal in what relief officials called an unprecedented effort by the
world body to forestall the dangers of disease threatening millions of
people.
"An enormous relief effort is on its way," UN Emergency Relief Coordinator
Jan Egeland said, as UN Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) teams
fanned out to the stricken countries and local branches of the world body's
various agencies began releasing emergency material.
This tsunami "is not the biggest in recorded history, but the effects may be
the biggest ever because many more people live in exposed areas than ever
before," he told a news conference at UN Headquarters in New York, appealing
to donor countries to respond generously to what he called a "tremendous
emergency."
While "the first wave" of the disaster has already brought tens of thousands
of casualties, Mr. Egeland stressed the "second wave" - the after-effects
which will affect millions of people. "Drinking water for millions has been
polluted," he said. "Disease will be a result of that and also acute
respiratory disease always comes in the wake of disasters."
Excerpt from ESR8-360, 27 Dec 2004
Tsunami Disaster Toll Tops 14,000 as Aftershocks
Continue
By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Asia Pacific Desk
INDIAN OCEAN: More than 14,600 people are feared dead and up to
60,000 missing after a series of Tsunamis swept through the Indian Ocean
Sunday morning slamming into the coastlines of at least seven countries.
Hardest hit were Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, where most of the
casualties were killed by the giant walls of water.
Late Monday aftershocks continued to rock the Indian Ocean seabed with the
strongest registering 6.1 magnitude off the Andaman Islands, according to
the United States Geological Society.
On Sunday holidaymakers in the tourist resort of Phuket, Thailand, told
Australian media they felt a series of tremors around 8am but through
nothing of it and returned to their normal activities. Ninety minutes later
the first Tsunami hit the coastlines of Thailand and Malaysia.
Less than two hours later Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and the
Maldives were also hit by the tidal waves. East Africa was struck late
afternoon.
The Tsunamis originated from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and several strong
aftershocks in quick succession, off the coast of Sumatra, near the west
Indonesian province of Aceh. While some of the strongest waves hit Aceh
first, destroying many villages, a series of tidal waves traveled over 1,000
miles across the Indian Ocean striking the other countries.
The Thai government reported 392 people were dead, many of them foreign
nationals on vacation at the numerous beach resorts. In Malaysia, 48 people
were killed at the resort island of Penang. The Maldives said that five
people were confirmed dead while Myanmar reported 10 and Bangladesh two.
Elsewhere in the region Sri Lanka reported more than 5,000 dead, India over
6,000 and Indonesia at least 2,300. Officials in all countries reported that
many bodies were washing ashore in all regions and raised concerns that
disease could begin to spread.
Tourists Trapped in Tsunami Terror
PHUKET, THAILAND: When the Tsunamis struck the coastlines on Sunday
morning, thousands of tourists were enjoying the sun andwarm waters
bordering the many seaside resorts in Thailand. Most didn’t have time to
escape the fast-flowing wall of water as it pounded the shoreline and moved
inland.
Thai authorities reported that about eighty percent of the confirmed 392
fatalities in that country were foreigners. In Penang, Malaysia, a similar
story unfolded. Beachgoers were sucked out to sea by the tidal wave after it
hit the popular resort area, killing at least 48 tourists. Late Monday the
22 Japanese, 3 American and 2 Australian tourists were confirmed dead. A
large number of foreign tourists remained missing late Sunday.
International Support Pledged for Disaster Area
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Pledges of support for nations ravaged by the
Tsunamis came from every corner of the globe as the death toll rose
dramatically on Monday. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer pledged
an initial amount of $A10 million in aid funding to the Red Cross and United
Nations humanitarian agencies racing to the scene of the destruction.
Late Monday a Royal Australian Defence Force (RAAF) C-130 Hercules transport
aircraft from Richmond in New South Wales flew to Butterworth, Malaysia,
where Australia’s aid efforts would be staged.
The United Kingdom provided initial funding for the World Health
Organization through the UK Department for International Development to
carry out relief operations in the region and the United States pledged it
would offer all appropriate assistance to nations impacted by the tragedy.
At the United Nations, relief experts were reportedly en-route to Sri Lanka
where they would participate in coordinating the international response. The
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that
it will provide initial emergency cash grants to help the affected
countries.
“This is the first step in what will surely be a larger United Nations
response to catastrophic losses suffered as a result of earthquakes and
tidal waves this morning,” said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland.
China, Russia, the European Union and Greece also announced on Monday they
would be sending aid.
December 27, 2004 - 6:22AM - Australia
time
Warnings could have saved thousands: USGS
ASIA:
A warning center such as those used around the
Pacific could have saved most of the thousands of people who died in Asia's
earthquake and tsunamis, a US Geological Survey official said.
None of the countries most severely affected - including India, Thailand,
Indonesia and Sri Lanka - had a tsunami warning mechanism or tidal gauges to
alert people to the wall of water that followed a massive earthquake, said
Waverly Person of the USGS National Earthquake Information Centre.
"Most of those people could have been saved if they had had a tsunami warning
system in place or tide gauges," he said yesterday.
"And I think this will be a lesson to them," he said, referring to the
governments of the devastated countries.
Person also said that because large tsunamis, or seismic sea waves, are
extremely rare in the Indian Ocean, people were never taught to flee inland
after they felt the tremors of an earthquake.
Tsunami warning systems and tide gauges exist around the Pacific Ocean, for the
Pacific Rim as well as South America. The United States has such warning centers
in Hawaii and Alaska operated by the US Geological Survey. But, none of these
monitors the Indian Ocean region.
The 8.9-magnitude underwater quake - one of the most powerful in history - off
the Indonesian island of Sumatra devastated southern Asia.
--
Source: smh.com.au
For Immediate
Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Statement by the Deputy Press Secretary
December 26, 2004
STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY
Earthquake and Tidal Waves in the Bay of Bengal
On behalf of the American people, the President expresses his sincere
condolences for the terrible loss of life and suffering caused by the
earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in the region of the Bay of Bengal.
The United States stands ready to offer all appropriate assistance to those
nations most affected including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Thailand, and
Indonesia, as well as the other countries impacted. Already relief is
flowing to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We will work with the affected
governments, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other
concerned states and organizations to support the relief and response to
this terrible tragedy.
Again, we extend our sincere condolences to all the people of the region at
this time of suffering.
-- Source:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041226.html
09:00CST - 26
Dec 2004
8.9 Quake and
Tidal Waves Kill More than 7,000
Search & Rescue Efforts Go On...
ASIA: Rescue and
relief efforts continue throughout S. E. Asia, following one of the largest
earthquakes in the past 40 years. According to several media sources, more
than 7,000 people have been killed in the region as Tsunamis smashed through
as many as nine countries. In Sri Lanka, 1,000 miles west of the epicenter,
more than 3,000 people were killed, the country's top police official said.
At least 1,870 died in Indonesia, and 1,900 along the southern coasts of
India, the Associate Press reported. At least 198 were confirmed dead in
Thailand, 42 in Malaysia and 2 in Bangladesh. Worse, rescue officials
expected the death toll to continue to rise, with hundreds of people still
reported missing and all communications and electricity cut off to Sumatran
towns closest to the epicenter.
ERRI emergency service
analysts said that this is a major multi-casualty, multi-country disaster,
which will probably overwhelm the resources and personnel available in the
countries that must try to manage it.
Pope John Paul II meanwhile said
he was "saddened" by the "huge tragedy."
"The Christmas festival is marred by sadness over news from Southeast Asia
which was hit by a massive earthquake that struck Indonesia with
consequences for Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia
and the Maldives," the pontiff said. "We pray for the victims of this huge
tragedy and we hope that the world community will mobilize to rush aid to
the affected populations," the head of the Catholic faith added.
ERRI analysts said it is respectfully recommended that the international community
quickly consider
sending relief aid to meet the victim needs, as determined by the affected
countries. (Please see several previous EmergencyNet News reports [below] on
this topic, issued as this series of quakes was actually occurring,)
02:00CST - 26
Dec 2004
Death Toll
Rising in S. & E. Asia; More than 500 Feared Dead
By C. L. Staten
ASIA:
According to accumulated reports coming from several countries, several
hundred people may have been killed in a series of earthquakes that began
with a 8.5 temblor off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake was
followed by reports of Tsunami waves striking costal areas in several
countries, including India and Sri Lanka.
More than
100,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas following a reported
30 foot high wave that washed ashore and smashed everything in its path.
The wall of water swept into Indonesia, over the coast of Sri Lanka and
India, and along the southern Thai tourist island of Phuket.
Unconfirmed accounts coming from the region also say that a large number of
people may also be missing, with speculation suggesting that they were
washed out to sea with the recession of the tidal wave.
The extent of
property damage is still unknown and assessments will not be able to be
carried out for some time as the various governments devote all of their
resources in an attempt to rescue and care for the injured victims.
Officials say that the death toll may continue to rise as they are able to
access more of the stricken and flooded areas.
The Sumatra
earthquake,
now
being described as being of 8.9 magnitude on the
Richter scale, was the world's largest recorded in almost 40 years,
Julie Martinez, geophysicist for the US Geological Survey, said.
EmergencyNet News will bring you additional updates as the circumstances
warrant...
00:30CST/26 Dec 2004
Tsunami Waves Splash Across Asia;
Multiple Deaths Reported
ASIA:
Reports are coming in to EmergencyNet News from Shortwave and other sources,
all suggesting that tsunami waves have struck several locations and may have
caused hundreds of deaths. The Tidal waves are believed to be the result of
one or more powerful earthquakes in the area of Indonesia's Sumatra Island.
(With as many as ten [10] aftershocks
since the original 8.5 tremor)
Few official details are
currently available, as communications and electricity systems are shut down
in areas struck by either the earthquake or the tsunamis. Damage and
casualties are now being reported in Sri Lanka, in costal cities in India,
on the Thai tourist island of Phuket, and in Indonesia. Due to a lack
of effective communications, it is practically impossible at this time to
effectively assess the extent of damage and death toll. The situation,
however, is increasingly beginning to look like a large scale disaster with
one or more mass casualty incident(s).
And, as if the previous seismic
events weren't causing enough difficulties in this region, EmergencyNert
News has also learned of additional seismic activity in the same region, to
include a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in/near the NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
(6.901°N, 92.952°E) at 04:21:26 (UTC) on Sunday, December 26, 2004.
Assessment of this quake is still ongoing at the time of this report.
Additional reference can be found at:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsww/Quakes/ussmax.htm
25 Dec 2004
Powerful
Earthquake Strikes Near Indonesia/Sumatra
JAKARTA,
INDONESIA - A powerful earthquake has reportedly rocked Indonesia’s
northernmost province of Aceh Sunday, alarming thousands of residents who
fled their homes for the safety of the streets, officials said. There were
largely unconfirmed reports of casualties when one or more large buildings
collapsed. The extent of the damage and/or number of injuries/deaths is not
presently clear. Telephone lines are down in the area and communications are
presently difficult there.
There were conflicting reports on the size of the temblor, which struck
about 08:00 (local time) and was centered about 100 miles off the west coast
of Sumatra. Indonesian seismologists said the quake had a magnitude of 6.4,
but the U.S. Geological Survey’s Web site recorded a magnitude of 8.5,
considerably larger and capable of massive damage. Officials at the
Strasbourg Observatory in France also put the tremor at a massive 8.0 on the
Richter scale. There was no way to immediately clarify the major
discrepancy in magnitudes being reported.
Preliminary
Earthquake Report
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
World Data Center for Seismology, Denver
A great earthquake occurred at 00:58:50 (UTC) on Sunday, December 26, 2004.
The magnitude 8.5 event has been located OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN
SUMATRA. (This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.)
Magnitude 8.5
Date-Time Sunday, December 26, 2004 at 00:58:50 (UTC) = Coordinated
Universal Time
Sunday, December 26, 2004 at 6:58:50 AM = local time at epicenter
Location 3.298°N, 95.778°E
Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
Region OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA
Distances
250 km (155 miles) SSE of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia
320 km (200 miles) W of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
1260 km (780 miles) SSW of BANGKOK, Thailand
1605 km (1000 miles) NW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 9.2 km (5.7 miles); depth fixed by
location program
Parameters Nst=157, Nph=157, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.35 sec, Gp= 29°,
M-type=surface wave magnitude (Ms), Version=8
Source USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID usslav
Felt Reports Some buildings collapsed at Banda Aceh. Felt widely in northern
Sumatra. Source:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/