Alan Hargreaves' Weblog
The ramblings of an Australian STSC* Staff Engineer
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Tuesday May 13, 2008
China Earthquake: Oh my god!
I'm supposed to be putting the finishin touches on another customer presentation this morning (in the light of one I gave yesterday). I simply had to stop doing that and get my thoughts down as I was finding it hard to focus.
Yesterday I made a comment on a colleague's blog about the earthquake, as I am also travelling in the region. I noted that I was giving a presentation to a customer at the time and actually didn't notice. I had it pointed out to me that we had had a tremor or a 'quake after I finished.
I got back to one of the offices in Beijing that afternoon and had an Australian colleague in a chat session point me at an article in an Australian newspaper about the incident mentioning a loss of life of about a hundred. This in itself was incredibly sobering, as any such loss of life is tragic.
This morning I woke up and flipped on BBC World and was utterly gobsmacked to hear 10,000 dead!
I find myself at a loss to describe my feelings. On one hand I am incredibly grateful for my own safety, but 10,000 people?
Oh my god!
This is beyond tragedy.
The loss of human life on this scale is beyond comprehension.
The China Daily lists the numbers lost in various areas. One in particluar leaps out at me. In comparison to some of the other areas the numbers are small but how can the following not tug on your heart?
Dujiangyan: Over 50 dead in a middle school. Many more are buried beneath rubble.
I almost dread going into the office today as there are certain to be people who either know that they have lost family and friends, or perhaps worse, don't know whether or not they have. My heart goes out to all of these wonderful people who have made me feel so welcome here.
I wish I knew what more to say.
Update#1
I just called my manager in Sydney to let him know that I was fine. He told me that the Australian news services are reporting on 900 kids in a collapsed school.
I am fearful that the news is only going to get worse!
Posted at 11:13AM May 13, 2008 by Alan Hargreaves in General | Comments[5]
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It really is awful, isn't it? I can't imagine the horror those parents are going through. It just seems like there are no words....
Posted by melanie gao on May 13, 2008 at 12:36 PM EST #
Such a horrible tragedy. So many dead. It's disturbing.
I am just grateful that you are ok. STAY THAT WAY!
Posted by Carrie on May 13, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST #
Alan
Hun, Im so glad your ok this is the main thing *sending you so much hugs and everything* speak to you once you get back
Posted by Julie on May 13, 2008 at 11:33 PM EST #
no that wasnt meant to sound your alright jack but dont care about the rest ugh you know what i mean and so very bad at words also - so not its not ok and i think of everyone involved..May they get through this
Posted by julie on May 13, 2008 at 11:37 PM EST #
Hi Alan,
It is really sad and tragic and my heart goes for all the victims and their families. It is really tragic.
Take care of yourself and see you back here soon.
Abbas
Posted by Abbas Imani on May 17, 2008 at 01:05 PM EST #