Phnom Phen, Cambodia

Revised figures from Indonesia suggest that between 21 and 25 thousand people have perished, putting the total number of fatalities at somewhere around the 40,000 mark. Up to 40,000 people are unnacounted for in the Andoman and Nicobar islands, close to the epicentre of the earthquake that struck (see map below for detail).

With and additional minimum of 1,000 people missing in Thailand, believed to be dead, final estimates of the fatalities could reach as many as 60,000 people.

27/12/2004:

It's with heavy heart that I have learned of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that has wrought havoc and killed over 12,000 people so far, with the final death toll likely to be far higher. I am concerned and worried, because many of the areas that have been hit are places that I have travelled through recently, and for the many friends that I have made that live there. Further, those that I have said goodbye to heading for just such places that were in the path of the wall of water that resulted from the quakes that measured 9.0 on the Richter scale.

As the roll call rings I shudder - Medan, Bukit Lawang and lake Toba in Indonesia. Penang in Malaysia where I attended a friend's wedding, and I am deeply concerned for the brides family there. Phuket in Thailand where my Laos ex-girlfriend is working, Alexei, the truculent Greek who was there last time I heard from him. And the islands where so many people head at this time of the year. I too, so easily could have been there.

Here in Phnom Penh, we were perfectly safe, but Thailand and Malysia where their fingers touch shield the Gulf of Thailand from the Andaman sea which bore down on the Western Islands and Phuket in Thailand, and Penang and elsewhere in Malaysia. Otherwise, Cambodia too would have felt the brunt of this primal, elemental force. In other directions the destructive tsunami went to the north of India and Burma, and as far as West Africa. An accident of geography kept further devastation from the SE of Thailand, Cambodia and South Vietnam, this could have been so much worse.

For those unfamiliar with the region, Cambodia is just adjacent to Thailand, and next to Thailnd is Vietnam. The Gulf of Thailand touches all three countries, and the death toll could have been much higher. The quake was even felt in Bangkok and Chiang-Mai, in the north of Thailand, I am suprised that I didn't feel it here in Phnom Penh, as the crow flies we are not that distant from Bangkok.

Those who may be concerned for my safety, need not worry, I am luckily out of harms way, just. At this time there are others to worry about, and I am personally deeply concerned over what the coming days may reveal about their fate. And at a time like this of course, to pray for the families of those that have lost their loved ones and livelihoods.

yechydda,