Massive Earthquakes Leave Hundreds Dead or Missing

[Roy]

There has been a great deal of seismic activity in SE Asia over the past 12 hours. More than 18 quakes, with magnitudes of 5.7 to 8.9 have been recorded by the USGS in just the last 12 hours.

Refer: http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/ for details. Damage and casualty reports are just coming in, but initial reports are that loss of life throughout the region is extensive.

 

[Roy]

The bid one, located just off the northwest coast of Sumatra is the fifth largest earthquake in the world since 1900. A monster quake, the USGS reports, “Many people killed by tsunamis in Sri Lanka and Thailand. Tsunamis also observed on the coasts of Maldives, Cocos Island and Sumatra. Felt widely in northern Sumatra. Also felt in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.”

 

[Feelhip]

Roy,
We have seen that on TV here in Boston. What a terrible thing to see. I must admit that I will think twice in having a house at beach level now. Although it is impossile to predict this kind of desaster, it is a big price to pay to have your feet in the water.

Philippe

 

[maurits]

Let us pray for all the victims...

Some of my friends are living in Phuket, I do hope that they are alright! Nothing heard yet from them...

One hope....

 

[Ziggy]

How is it in Bali? more to the point the Gilli Islands? My brother is there and i havnt heard from him yet? But there again he's probably still sleeping off his christmas over indulgence of beer and turkey.

 

[Roy]

Bali was not effected by this quake or the tidal waves. Maurits, I guess you already know that Phuket was hit pretty hard by the tidal waves. I think I speak for us all with wishes and prayers that your friends there are OK.

 

[Roy]

In the hours since the devastating quake that was centered just off the west coast of Sumatra, there have been 25 aftershocks ranging in scale from 5.4 to 7.3. This link provides much information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav/

The news from Aceh is very bad, and I’m particularly concerned about our friends on Nias, which is very close to the epicenter of this quake.

 

[Sergio]

Devastating ! It saddens me to think of all those that have lost loved ones and everything they worked for. My prayers are with them !

 

[Ziggy]

It good to know that Bali and the Gilli Islands have neen unaffected I will let my mother know as she's starting to panic about noy hearing from my brother for a couple of days!


The pictures we are getting back in the Uk are extremly upsetting.
I hope all your friends and loved ones are OK