BBC Documentary Tsunami

[Parson Henry]

On last night.

Some of the footage of the wave was terrifying and left a lasting impression on me. The video footage was filmed by locals on Phi-Phi island I think and initially showed the 'suck back' of the tide and all the curious beach goers. Even then there was no realistion of the impending terror wave.

Shortly after the first signs of the wave were seen on the horizon and the filmers (it was translated with subtitles) remarked on the breakers on the horizon. Only then did the full horror of what was coming thier way emerge.

Beach punters were still standing looking and waiting only to swept away like tiny insects when it was too late.

Real life terror captured on film.

 

[JJ McClure]

Some truely terrifying footage. Also amazed when it showed a load of people walking back onto the beach after the first wave had hit, all looking around going "few that was lucky", then realising another wave was on it's way and having to leg it again.
Some extrordinary stories of survival along with stories of tragic loss.

 

[REDLAND]

I had to stop watching it, some of that footage was just to disturbing..

 

[Seagull Stew]

Amazing that that tribe on the island knew exactly what was about to happen because of their religious beliefs and ALL survived by heading inland immediately!

 

[Bigtomfu]

Amazing that that tribe on the island knew exactly what was about to happen because of their religious beliefs and ALL survived by heading inland immediately!

Incredible- yet i still fail to see how they ran far enough in land the island looked tiny...


Theres a better video they didnt show from the Maldives where a wall of water about 6 feet deep yet still the amazing turquoise you would expect from the Indian Ocean runs the entire width of the Island...

Unbeleivable scenes.

 

[Hiney]

It was an amazing programme.

The way they built up to the moment the wave hit was superb.

It also dealt with the death and destruction in a very sensitive way

Top programme

 

[Seagull Stew]

And the Yank behind the video camera saying "I don't think we'll be going anywhere today honey"

 

[Bwian]

The great news is that most (90%) of Thailand that was affected has recovered from the devastation so if you gave money to the appeal-it was put to good and immediate use. Don't know about the islands though as never had time to visit any of them.

 

[Parson Henry]

And the Yank behind the video camera saying "I don't think we'll be going anywhere today honey"

That,whilst amusing tyo a degree, was also poignant given that is how it affected people.

 

[London Calling]

Amazing that that tribe on the island knew exactly what was about to happen because of their religious beliefs and ALL survived by heading inland immediately!

Most people (tourists) just didn't have any experience of what was going on. Based on my own experience, I have seen some huge waves of the south west of France, but you just "know" that they will hit the beach and dissipate away.


What was also sad, that the various Government agencies across the region failed to provide any early warning in their own country let alone other nations further East.

 

[Parson Henry]

Isn't there a huge section of an uninhabited Canary island that may slide into the Atalantic thereby causing cataclysmic waves across the coasts of the UK, Europe, Africa and the US.

Best not panic people just in case the price of properties at the top of Race Hill go through the roof.

 

[Hadlee]

Amazing that that tribe on the island knew exactly what was about to happen because of their religious beliefs and ALL survived by heading inland immediately!

I found that incredible, probably the most primitive people in the Region and yet they knew exactly what to do when the water receeded prior to the waves, a horrificaly stark contrast to the Tourists who stood there open mouthed as this great wall of water rushed towards them.

 

[Hadlee]

Isn't there a huge section of an uninhabited Canary island that may slide into the Atalantic thereby causing cataclysmic waves across the coasts of the UK, Europe, Africa and the US.

Best not panic people just in case the price of properties at the top of Race Hill go through the roof.

That's a bit like Yellowstone Park in USA which is on top of a super Volcano. Erupts once every few million years and is about 300,000 years overdue !!

That might affect property prices in Shirley !

 

[Parson Henry]

That's a bit like Yellowstone Park in USA which is on top of a super Volcano. Erupts once every few million years and is about 300,000 years overdue !!

That might affect property prices in Shirley !

Don't be such a smartarse!!

 

[smudge]

And the Yank behind the video camera saying "I don't think we'll be going anywhere today honey"

I'm afraid that isn't just a way of someone dealing with an unfolding tragedy; but it's entirely typical of an American tourist response.
I was recently in the Caribbean when Hurricane Wilma struck & destroyed 2 of our ports of call, Cancun & Cozumel. The Captain kept the ship out of the path of danger & we went to 2 different ports. There were many deaths & complete devastation. What was the passengers attitude? "We want a refund; we paid to go to Cancun & Cozumel!"

Un f***ing believable.

Excellent programme last night; certainly brought home the full horror of what it must of been like.