Thailand - internet site aids identification of tsunami victims
Source: ABC News Online
Thailand has set up a web site, http://www.csiphuket.com, for those searching for relatives and friends killed or injured in the tsunami that has swamped tourist-packed beaches along its south-west coast.
The site has been developed by volunteers, including programmers and web site developers.
It aims to put all data available on the dead and missing in one place instead of forcing people to surf over 80 sites set up to track the tragedy.
In a round-the-clock operation, volunteers in the island resort of Phuket enter data from forms filled out by those looking for people at hospitals and Buddhist temples being used as temporary morgues.
They have data on about 4,900 people listed as dead, missing and injured.
Photos of unidentified bodies, bloated and decomposing, are posted on the site, in the hope clothing or jewellery or other personal items pictured with the bodies can be used to identify them.
People can also submit missing-persons forms online.
"Once the body is identified, we take the picture out. We want to respect the families," Chitcharen Vesespadthaya, a businessman who is managing the web site, said.
The site supports seven languages, with more to be added.
Thailand has set up a web site, http://www.csiphuket.com, for those searching for relatives and friends killed or injured in the tsunami that has swamped tourist-packed beaches along its south-west coast.
The site has been developed by volunteers, including programmers and web site developers.
It aims to put all data available on the dead and missing in one place instead of forcing people to surf over 80 sites set up to track the tragedy.
In a round-the-clock operation, volunteers in the island resort of Phuket enter data from forms filled out by those looking for people at hospitals and Buddhist temples being used as temporary morgues.
They have data on about 4,900 people listed as dead, missing and injured.
Photos of unidentified bodies, bloated and decomposing, are posted on the site, in the hope clothing or jewellery or other personal items pictured with the bodies can be used to identify them.
People can also submit missing-persons forms online.
"Once the body is identified, we take the picture out. We want to respect the families," Chitcharen Vesespadthaya, a businessman who is managing the web site, said.
The site supports seven languages, with more to be added.
nandini chopra at 1/02/2005 02:28:00 AM |
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