Tidal wave death toll over 11,500 in Sri Lanka

The death toll from massive tidal waves that struck Sri Lanka’s coastline leapt to more than 11,500 today as thousands of soldiers and families searched for bodies a day after the disaster.

Military spokesman, Brigadier Daya Ratnayake said 10,029 bodies had been recovered from areas of the island nation under government control, raising the official tally by more than 5,000 from the previous day.

An additional 1,500 bodies have been recovered in Tamil rebel-controlled territory, bringing Sri Lanka’s overall toll to 11,529.

Among the dead were 72 foreign tourists, said Udaya Nanayakkara, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

About 170 children and a Catholic priest were feared dead after tidal waves pounded in orphanage in Mullaithivu, 170 miles north of the capital, Colombo.

One million Sri Lankans were left homeless by the tidal waves.

Helicopters and 25,000 soldiers rushed to the nation’s coastal regions today and dropped rescue teams and medicine to areas not accessible by land, while soldiers worked to maintain order and help with the rescue efforts.

“It is a national disaster and the army is responding,” Ratnayake said. “They are helping the local authorities in whatever way they can.”

Sporadic, small-scale looting was reported, first in the towns of Galle and Matara, and then spreading to new areas – with looters duping residents into leaving their homes by saying new tidal waves are advancing, Ratnayake said.

“The looters are moving in an organised manner. They announce at a given area that residents should flee because new waves are coming,” said Ratnayake. “When the residents are gone, they go on a looting spree.”

“We have advised residents through radio not to act on such rumours and we are taking actions against the looters,” said Ratnayake.

About 200 inmates took advantage of the chaos and escaped from a Matara prison when guards panicked as water entered the building, the police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Tamil Tiger rebels in the north have sought international relief help.