Massive Earthquake!

Record shattering earthquake has hit SE Asia. Epicentre in Sumatra but hundreds perished as far away as Sri Lanka. Reports of dead in Thailand, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka......Singapore jolted.


Asia quake leaves 500 feared dead
Tidal waves hit Sri Lanka, Thailand
Sunday, December 26, 2004 Posted: 0802 GMT



Sri Lanka's coastline was slammed by tidal waves up to 10 meters high.

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(CNN) -- More than 500 people are feared dead after the largest earthquake to shake the planet in nearly 40 years jolted Southeast Asia Sunday.

The quake, near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggered massive tidal waves that swept across the region.

Casualty figures are yet to be confirmed, but initial reports say tidal waves have killed as many as 300 people in Sri Lanka, and about 20 in southern India.

In addition, up to 200 fishermen are missing at sea off the coast of India, officials have told reporters.

Flash flooding in Indonesia has claimed almost 100 lives, and many more deaths are feared in Thailand after huge waves hit the popular tourist resort of Phuket.

Six deaths were also reported from Malaysia's Penang island.

The reports suggest the likely total death toll in the region is likely to exceed 500.

The quake prompted a series of powerful aftershocks and tidal waves in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia's Sumatra Island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center.











Earthquake Report