Because we watch way too much TV, we sort of expect disasters to be accompanied by appropriate lighting and dramatic music. From what I can see, the tsunami hit various beaches under a clear sky, with no music.
In the meantime, the Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs keeps updating its numbers in the same misleading way. 430 Norwegians are reported missing; 21 are confirmed dead; and there are additional 1,440 that may have been in the area, but are unaccounted for. As the days go by, it seems reasonable to worry about 1,870 Norwegians who haven't given sign of life. Those that are alive presumably know that people are going to be worrying about them. I have friends who were in affected areas in Thailand, and they sent SMS messages to friends and family; they're also back in Norway as of this morning.
I suppose you have to be cautious when making fatality estimates, but the numbers for this particular disaster seem only to be pointing in one direction. If the Norwegian MFAs techniques are applied everywhere, the current number of 80,000 to 100,000 may be far from the mark.
Also, there are recriminations back and forth about various governments' willingness and ability to help. The US took Jan Egeland's criticism personally, and the New York Times says today that yes, we are stingy. Norwegian survivors are telling the public that the Norwegian government sucked at providing emergency assistance to them.
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