Catastrophes Sadden the Catastrophes Sadden the World

A cyclone in former Burma and an earthquake in China shake the world with destruction and death 

The worrying panorama of environmental destruction, armed conflicts and power and food crises affecting the world is now even somber.

Both catastrophes shoot up the toll of dead people, drama and destruction. After hitting land last May 2, Nagris Cyclone caused at least 100,000 deaths. Ten days later, a devastating earthquake in China could have caused other 50,000 fatal victims, according to preliminary estimates.

As if it were a cruel joke, the military board governing Burma aggravated the already sad situation by forbidding the entrance of international forces willing to provide survivors with emergency aerial aid.

International pressure over the military government increases daily. They are expected to open their borders to the assistance that over a million homeless people require.

Rescuing the victims is a must; they are surrounded by dead bodies and in risk of catching any disease.

Some planes with supplies have been forced to stay in Dubai, Bangladesh and Thailand and wait for the landing permits. 

Drama in the East 

To the 50,000 fatal and missing victims, let’s add millions of people affected by the 7.9 earthquake that shook Sichuan province. The rescuing labors continue; they have focused on providing the population with food, shelter and fresh water.

Tragedies do not come alone. The government’s replies and warnings have caused a massive exodus among the residents of the province.

Dozens of aftershocks have been felt in the area. The strongest of them reached a 6.1 magnitude on Richter scale.

China, whose capital city Beijing will host the next Olympic games, suspended the Olympic Torch relay for three days and lowered the flags to half-mast.

In addition to the dead and buried victims, it is estimated that over 220,000 people were injured by the earthquake.

The epicenter took place in the mountains located northwest from Chengdu, an important tourist destination. Massive landslides, caused by the earthquake, completed the devastation of the small communities, hotels, hostels and cottages.