Flight of Remembrance
It's exactly a year to the day since the Asian Tsunami devastated Asia, raping her of beautiful coastlines and snatching away thousands of lives. I shivered at the thought that a year had passed so quickly and all the lives lost and still, countries hit by the earthquake continue to struggle under its wrath.
The Asian Tsunami was a major earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, measured at 9.15 on the Richter scale, released energy equivalent to the amount used in USA in 11 days. The tidal waves created first hit Sumatra before striking tropical resort destinations such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, catching everyone by surprise. The waves reached as far as the shores of Somalia and Kenya, killing people along its path. Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka were the worst hit but many other countries were affected, with many Christmas holidaymakers being swept away by the tsunami. Among countries with tourist casualties, Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Denmark was badly hit; Sweden being the worst, losing 543 citizens and another 1500 Swedes injured. Other countries with fatalities include Thailand, Myanmar, the Maldives, Seychelles, Malaysia, Germany, Finland, Britain, Switzerland, Austria and France. The total casualty number stands at more than 170 000, with more than 50 000 still missing.
It is sad that these victims are not able to celebrate another Christmas with the rest of us still around today. I guess while we have fun and be merry, we have to hold them close in our hearts and think of them, how they had led the world to unite in rescuing the victims and how we all contributed to assist the affected countries. Many countries also sent different special taskforces and equipment as well as supplies to aid the living, as well as to identify the dead. Companies such as Srilankan Airlines transported aid for free and all its airline staff donated their salaries to the victims, while Scandinavian Airlines converted their planes into air ambulances, completed with stretchers to airlift victims of the disaster. It was heartwarming that the rest of the world together, lent a helping hand to the countries fallen in darkness.
And a year after, the rest of us left are still together. Nothing could compensate the lives taken, but we can embrace the victims in our memories and respect each other. The tsunami has taught us that life is of a fragile and transient nature and we should not take anyone for granted, not your friends, family nor even sworn enemies. Life is too precious, lets not waste it. To the victims: You taught us the meaning of life, and have made the world a better place for us. May you rest in peace.
The Asian Tsunami was a major earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, measured at 9.15 on the Richter scale, released energy equivalent to the amount used in USA in 11 days. The tidal waves created first hit Sumatra before striking tropical resort destinations such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, catching everyone by surprise. The waves reached as far as the shores of Somalia and Kenya, killing people along its path. Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka were the worst hit but many other countries were affected, with many Christmas holidaymakers being swept away by the tsunami. Among countries with tourist casualties, Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Denmark was badly hit; Sweden being the worst, losing 543 citizens and another 1500 Swedes injured. Other countries with fatalities include Thailand, Myanmar, the Maldives, Seychelles, Malaysia, Germany, Finland, Britain, Switzerland, Austria and France. The total casualty number stands at more than 170 000, with more than 50 000 still missing.
It is sad that these victims are not able to celebrate another Christmas with the rest of us still around today. I guess while we have fun and be merry, we have to hold them close in our hearts and think of them, how they had led the world to unite in rescuing the victims and how we all contributed to assist the affected countries. Many countries also sent different special taskforces and equipment as well as supplies to aid the living, as well as to identify the dead. Companies such as Srilankan Airlines transported aid for free and all its airline staff donated their salaries to the victims, while Scandinavian Airlines converted their planes into air ambulances, completed with stretchers to airlift victims of the disaster. It was heartwarming that the rest of the world together, lent a helping hand to the countries fallen in darkness.
And a year after, the rest of us left are still together. Nothing could compensate the lives taken, but we can embrace the victims in our memories and respect each other. The tsunami has taught us that life is of a fragile and transient nature and we should not take anyone for granted, not your friends, family nor even sworn enemies. Life is too precious, lets not waste it. To the victims: You taught us the meaning of life, and have made the world a better place for us. May you rest in peace.
posted by SkyCruiser at
6:47 PM
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