Tsunami impact on Norway and Sweden

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will publish the list of missing Norwegians tomorrow.  The list is expected to include close to 1400 names of people who were known to be in areas hit by the tsunami or earthquake a week ago and who haven't been heard from since.

There is considerable uncertainty about the list.  The MFA has obtained manifests from tour operators, notifications from relatives, and probably some information from airlines operating in and out of affected areas.  They are weeding out duplicates over the weekend, and they are particularly concerned about releasing names of missing children. 

Sweden has announced that approximately 3500 of its citizens are missing, out of about 30,000 who were known to have been in affected areas.  About 7,000 Norwegians were in those areas, and something less than 20% may have been killed.  The Swedish ratio is lower, and you have to wonder why.  The following are possible explanations:

• Norwegian and Swedish authorities use different criteria for the total number of people in the area, the Swedes being more inclusive (most likely).
• The Norwegians may have overcounted the number of missing people, either because of duplicate people or not being able to keep up with people who have been found (also likely).
• The Swedes may have undercounted the number of missing Swedes (not likely).
• Swedes and Norwegian stayed in different areas (least likely).

Both Norwegian and Swedish authorities have come under heavy criticism for:

• Not providing adequate immediate assistance to citizens in affected areas
• Not providing enough assistance to citizens in transit to their home countries
• Not providing enough assistance in finding missing people; a number of Norwegians and Swedes have traveled to areas in search of family and friends in hospitals, morgues, etc.
• Not tracking the identities of missing, hurt, and killed people.

Swedish authorities have accepted much of the criticism, admitting they were unprepared for this kind of event, but pointing out that it's too early for a post mortem of their performance.  Norwegian authorities have been defensive and even defiant, saying they're "tired" of all the criticism. 

We are entering a new phase of this terrible event, focusing on ensuring public health for affected areas, recovery and identification of bodies, resolution of fatalities, and early discussions on the long-term impact for certain areas.  Norwegian authorities are running out of excuses for their screwups - the next few days will be very telling.  Stay tuned.

Comments

[maryn]

I am a volunteer for Thaicaryou and I have been searching for a small red haired boy I think might be Norwegian or Swedish. He is I think about four or five. My problem is not enough children are posted on thaicareyou and the missing children site from Norway and Sweden. I have looked at every missing child I could find on every link. If anyone knows where I might find more pictures of the missing children please e mail me links at Yroy77@shaw.ca. Also I invite relatives and friends to post on http://www.thaicareyou.com/
On this site are missing posters, unidentified deceased with pictures of identifiable objects tastefully portrayed and regular volunteers who search and also assist relatives with the authorities. There has been much sucess at locating victims but there could so easily be much more if people would only post their missing loved ones. Should anyone know of a red haired boy about four or five please e mail me.

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Drawbacks can serve as a brief warning. People who observe drawback (many survivors report an accompanying sucking sound), can survive only if they immediately run for high ground or seek the upper floors of nearby buildings. In 2004, ten-year old Tilly Smith of Surrey, England, was on Maikhao beach in Phuket, Thailand with her parents and sister, and having learned about tsunamis recently in school, told her family that a tsunami might be imminent. Her parents warned others minutes before the wave arrived, saving dozens of lives. She credited her geography teacher, Andrew Kearney.

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There is considerable uncertainty about the list.

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The tsunami approaches the coast and the waters become shallow, wave shoaling compresses the wave and its velocity slows below 80 kilometres per hour(50 mph). Its wavelength diminishes to less than 20 kilometres(12 mi) and its amplitude grows enormously, producing a distinctly visible wave. Since the wave still has such a long wavelength, the tsunami may take minutes to reach full height. Except for the very largest tsunamis, the approaching wave does not break(like a surf break), but rather appears like a fast moving tidal bore. Open bays and coastlines adjacent to very deep water may shape the tsunami further into a step-like wave with a steep-breaking front.

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There are still missing bodies on the area. Massive search is still ongoing.