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| Thursday, 06 January 2005 |
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Tsunami creates desert islands in the Maldives MALE, Wednesday (AFP) The Maldives raised its official death toll to 82 killed and 26 missing in the Indian Ocean tsunamis that swamped the low-lying atoll nation. Government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said officials restored contact throughout the nation of 1,192 tiny islands scattered some 800 kilometres (550 miles) across the equator and the full extent of the destruction was only now coming to light. "It is becoming increasingly clear that what was eight days ago the most prosperous nation in the South Asian region will face the highest per capita reconstruction cost," Shaheed said. Maldives, which has said it would be submerged if the sea level rose by about a meter (yard) due to the effects of global warming, was known as a paradise for holiday makers and had emerged as Asia's most expensive destination. "Out of the 199 inhabited islands in the archipelago, 14 islands were completely evacuated, 79 islands do not have safe drinking water, 26 islands have no electricity, 24 islands have no telephones and four island has no communications facility at all," Shaheed said. He said a search was still on for the 26 missing people while 82 were confirmed killed. "The tsunami had within a few minutes set the country back by at least two decades, as far as socio-economic development is concerned," Shaheed said. He said 19 of the country's 87 luxury resorts have had to shut for massive renovation work and the tourist arrival figures had dropped by half during what would have been the peak winter season. |
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