Death toll doubles, nearing 100,000

THE death toll from the tsunami disaster doubled again yesterday, soaring towards the 100,000 mark.

The numbers were hard to comprehend but each represented an individual human loss in a tragedy of almost unimaginable proportions, which has left the world shocked.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the total number of dead could reach 100,000, while the World Health Organisation warned that diseases could double the number killed by the waves.