Tsunami Kills 800 on Sri Lankan Train

[lovuian]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=4&u=/ap/20041228/ap_on_re_as/quake_train

Tsunami Kills 800 on Sri Lankan Train

2 hours, 28 minutes ago World - AP Asia


By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer

TELWATTA, Sri Lanka - The train known as the Queen of the Sea chugged slowly up the sandy, palm-fringed coast of eastern Sri Lanka, carrying hundreds of residents from the capital to visit relatives or enjoy a day at the sunny resorts near the town of Galle.

More Than 800 Killed on Sri Lankan Train
(AP Video)



The train had nearly reached its destination Sunday when the tsunami struck — a wall of water some 30 feet high, enveloping the Queen and lifting its cars off the track into a thick marsh, killing at least 802 people.


In the utter wasteland around this once picturesque area, the train stands out — both as a testament to the force of nature that tossed it off the tracks and as the largest single loss of life on an island that suffered at least 18,706 dead.

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The train, which started from the capital, Colombo, Sunday morning had stopped at Telwatta, a village 15 miles from Galle, just before the wave came racing ashore. Many of the dead were local villagers who tried to escape rising waters by climbing on top of the train with the help of the passengers.


On Tuesday, the Queen and the surrounding area were little more than debris. Eight rust-colored cars that lay in deep pools of water amid a ravaged grove of palm trees. The force of the waves had torn the wheels off some cars, and the train tracks twisted like a loop on a roller coaster
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So Sad So Terrible!!!

[eleny]

1. This was also just reported on Anderson Cooper's 360

It's been a good overall report and will be on for 2 hours tonight. Several live reports so far.

[lovuian]

3. Tsunami Death Toll Climbs to 52,000

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=1&u=/ap/20041228/ap_on_re_as/quake_tidal_wave_29

Tsunami Death Toll Climbs to 52,000

1 hour, 5 minutes ago Top Stories - AP


By LELY T. DJUHARI, Associated Press Writer

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - Hungry refugees survived on coconuts or looted food on Indonesia's battered Sumatra island Tuesday as the region's death toll from a mammoth earthquake and tsunami rose above 52,000. The U.N. health agency warned that epidemics could claim as many lives.


AP Photo


AFP
Slideshow: Indonesia Quake Sparks Fatal Tidal Waves

Death toll from tidal waves mounts to around 44,
(AP Video)



One of the most dramatic illustrations of nature's force came to light Tuesday when reporters reached the scene of a Sri Lankan train carrying beachgoers that was swept into a marsh by a wall of water Sunday, killing at least 802. Eight rust-colored cars lay in deep pools of water in a ravaged palm grove, torn off wheels and baggage scattered among the twisted rails.


In Indonesia, there were vast areas of devastation where the bodies had not been counted. An official said 10,000 people might have died in the area around a Sumatran town, which would be the worst death toll in a single location. A flight over Meulaboh showed widespread wreckage and buildings inundated by water.


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Miracles seen a baby 20 month old was saved floating on a matress and reunited with family... That is a blessed child!!!

these stories are so heartbreaking!!!

[MnFats]

2. Many, many more deaths still to be reported...

....they had an official of The Maldives (nation of about 200 small islands) on NRPR (again with some of the best reporting) who said the government has not been able to contact anyone at all on some of these islands. they have no idea what happened -- perhaps everyone on them was wiped out...

....and the frightening thing this official brought up....none of the islands rise to a height of more than six meters above sea level....

[lovuian]

4. Whats obvious that if the Sea Level rises these islands are

Doomed!!!

[TahitiNut]

5. Tha Maldives is nearly 1,200 small islands.

Not all of them are inhabited. The highest point in the Maldives is about 8' ... the height of an average sheet of drywall or plyboard in the US.

[Moderator]

6. locking

this is the active death toll thread for now

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