World on Fire

Something I can do to change what's coming
Stay close to me
While the sky is falling
I don't wanna be left alone,
Don't want to be alone...

The world is on fire
It's more than I can handle
--Sarah MacLachlan

The death toll from the earthquakes and tsunamis is rising over 21,000. This is just plain sad that so many died in part because they lacked a warning system on the Indian Ocean. Honestly, I don't know why Somalia was caught unaware when they are so many hours away, and after India was hit, surely someone would have realized Africa was in danger. Still no word from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Tsunami death toll rises to 23,500

- 12,000 dead in Sri Lanka, 2,000 in Thailand
- At least 11 Britons perish

Staff and agencies
Monday December 27, 2004

The death toll from the southern Asia earthquake rose dramatically today, with some reports estimating that 23,500 people had died in the resulting tidal waves.

As a huge aid mission swung into action, rescue workers are still assessing the aftermath of the world's worst earthquake in 40 years. Experts warned that another quake might strike at any time.

Officials in Sri Lanka announced that the death toll in that country, which was the worst hit, had increased by 5,000 to 12,000, including 200 foreigners.