400,000

From Carl, who has been running a series of heartbreaking photos at FriskoDude, comes a piece of news I really didn't want to hear.

Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected To Exceed 400,000
Bernama News
Dec 30, 2004

The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.

He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".