It’s just astonishing to think that an undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra could be the largest natural disaster in the history of Sweden:
There are more than 3,000 visitors from Sweden among the missing in Thailand, and the Scandinavian nation is braced for what could be the worst natural disaster toll in its history. . .
[snip]
Thailand’s Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday many of those who were still listed as missing were likely to be dead. . . “Of the 6,500 missing, it is likely that they could mostly be dead as many days have passed.”
[snip]
It is thought around 20,000 Swedes had travelled to Thailand this holiday season, to escape the harsh winter of northern Europe.
While only 59 Swedes have so far been confirmed dead, authorities are fearing this tragedy may well become the worst natural disaster in the nation’s history.
With a population of only 9 million, Sweden’s expected loss of life proportionately matches that of Indonesia, and is exceeded only by Sri Lanka.
Wow.