In the days and weeks since Boxing Day, 2004, the world's attention focused on the plight of persons in the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. Over 300,000 lives perished in the greatest one-time population loss of modern history. The geologic event that occurred December 26th was great enough to cause the Earth's orbital axis to shift 2.5 cm, accelerating its daily spin by three milliseconds and causing Africa to move away from the American continents.
The official death toll from the tsunami ranges from 173,324 to 182,340 lives. The number of missing persons ranges from 107,853 to 129,897 - with most presumed dead.
Controversy surrounded the publication of data relating to Canadian losses. The federal government has refused to release the names of Canadians confirmed killed in the tsunami in Asia, saying it was respecting the privacy rights of the victims and their families. At a news conference held January 5th, Prime Minister Paul Martin said he would not override privacy legislation to release a list of names of missing persons.
On Thursday, March 3, 2005 the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation quoted government sources as reporting that 15 Canadians were confirmed dead, with 5 persons missing and 7 unaccounted for.
In an unusual case of making news instead of breaking it, the Toronto Star newspaper (free registration required) began publishing a list of missing and dead Canadians beginning with their January 5th edition. Foreign Affairs spokesperson James Fox said the list published by the Star is "not the list we are working with," but hasn't commented further on the report.
Foreign Affairs has instructed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada's federal law enforcement authority, in co-operation with Interpol, to set up a task force for the families of people believed missing in the tsunami. To report a person missing, people can call a toll free number: 1-888-543-4916 or send an e-mail to the RCMP.
At one time, reports suggested that three persons from the Edmonton area may have been among the missing. No further information has been published to confirm or discount these reports. For the latest Canadian tsunami news visit the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Disaster In Asia page.
Canadian deaths announced to date (compiled from recognised sources by the Last Link on the Left).