Race to Bury Asia's Dead as Toll Hits 63,000

GALLE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Stricken countries on the Indian Ocean worked swiftly on Wednesday to bury thousands of bodies as experts warned disease could kill as many people as the 63,000 already dead from the violent crush of Sunday's tsunami.

While rescuers ventured into outlying areas cut off for three days since what was possibly the deadliest tsunami in more than 200 years, the United Nations mobilized what it called the biggest relief operation in its history.

"Rescuers are holding their breath while using their bare hands, axes, or shovels to dig through piles of wrecked buildings and debris at Khao Lak," said senior Thai provincial official Chailert Piyorattanachote.

In a further threat to the region, disease could kill as many people as those killed by the wall of water, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said.

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http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=2GYUBCDHHXD2MCRBAEZSFFA?type=topNews&storyID=7195507

Really. It's such a huge disaster.

peace in death and comfort in life.

"experts warned disease could kill as many people as the 63,000 already dead" .Reuters is about 10,000 ahead of everyone else. I wonder where they are getting the #'s.

I just heard that the main area of impact in Sri Lanka hasn't even been accessed yet. I think the dead on impact toll could go way higher once they count native villages and indigenous tribes.

At this rate, the death toll is growing at about 20,000 a day, and it's not looking good as they find more bodies.

I remember the day after christmas being stunned at the estimate of 400 dead.

in getting stuff like medical care and food and shelter to people, sadly I think there will be continuing tragedy in addition to the people killed when the tsunami hit.

,...could have nominalized this tragedy!!!

Why this adminstration chose NOT to advance an easy & simple evacuation,...is beyond my comprehension.

discuss here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1104345