Menu
04/01/2005
Foreign office fears rise in Britons killed in tsunami
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed that the number of Britons killed in the Asian tsunami was "highly likely" to rise as he said it was feared that another 159 people may have died.
The Foreign office later confirmed that another person was known to have died in the disaster, bringing the death toll as of noon to 41.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Mr Straw confirmed the British death toll figures, but he said that the Foreign Office had "always made clear that the final number was bound to be significantly higher than that."
The Foreign Secretary said: "Because of the scale and nature of the disaster and the fact that many of the bodies of the dead may, sadly, never be found, firm estimates of casualty figures remain difficult."
Mr Straw said that in addition to the British nationals confirmed dead, the Metropolitan Police Service had categorised another 159 British nationals as "highly likely to have been involved as victims of the disaster".
He added that although it was still possible that not all of those missing had perished in the Boxing Day disaster, "the presumption has to be that a significant proportion of them will have been killed."
Earlier today it was confirmed that of the British nationals killed, 29 were in Thailand, eight in Sri Lanka and three in the Maldives.
The overall death toll in the disaster has now climbed to around 150,000. Indonesia is the worst affected country, with the United Nations now warning that its death toll will almost certainly top 100,000. Just over 30,000 people have now been confirmed dead in Sri Lanka, 15,160 in India and 5,046 in Thailand, but all these totals are also expected to rise.
Thousands of people are still missing across the region, including 2,459 foreigners in Thailand. Sweden has the most missing tourists, with 2,915 Swedish nationals still unaccounted for, alongside 52 confirmed deaths.
The latest estimates indicate that around five million are homeless and almost two million people urgently need food aid.
(KMcA/SP)
The Foreign office later confirmed that another person was known to have died in the disaster, bringing the death toll as of noon to 41.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Mr Straw confirmed the British death toll figures, but he said that the Foreign Office had "always made clear that the final number was bound to be significantly higher than that."
The Foreign Secretary said: "Because of the scale and nature of the disaster and the fact that many of the bodies of the dead may, sadly, never be found, firm estimates of casualty figures remain difficult."
Mr Straw said that in addition to the British nationals confirmed dead, the Metropolitan Police Service had categorised another 159 British nationals as "highly likely to have been involved as victims of the disaster".
He added that although it was still possible that not all of those missing had perished in the Boxing Day disaster, "the presumption has to be that a significant proportion of them will have been killed."
Earlier today it was confirmed that of the British nationals killed, 29 were in Thailand, eight in Sri Lanka and three in the Maldives.
The overall death toll in the disaster has now climbed to around 150,000. Indonesia is the worst affected country, with the United Nations now warning that its death toll will almost certainly top 100,000. Just over 30,000 people have now been confirmed dead in Sri Lanka, 15,160 in India and 5,046 in Thailand, but all these totals are also expected to rise.
Thousands of people are still missing across the region, including 2,459 foreigners in Thailand. Sweden has the most missing tourists, with 2,915 Swedish nationals still unaccounted for, alongside 52 confirmed deaths.
The latest estimates indicate that around five million are homeless and almost two million people urgently need food aid.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 January 2005
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
10 January 2005
Blair announces rise in British casualties in tsunami disaster
The Prime Minister has announced an increase in the number of British deaths in the Asian tsunami disaster.
Blair announces rise in British casualties in tsunami disaster
The Prime Minister has announced an increase in the number of British deaths in the Asian tsunami disaster.
21 May 2007
British soldier killed in Afghan accident
A British soldier has died during a "tragic accident" in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The soldier, from 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, died at the British base in Sangin on Sunday.
British soldier killed in Afghan accident
A British soldier has died during a "tragic accident" in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The soldier, from 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, died at the British base in Sangin on Sunday.
04 June 2009
England Fan Shot Ahead Of Qualifier
An England football fan has been shot and wounded in the build up to the World Cup qualifying match against Kazakhstan. The Foreign Office confirmed the supporter was shot in the leg in a bar in the neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
England Fan Shot Ahead Of Qualifier
An England football fan has been shot and wounded in the build up to the World Cup qualifying match against Kazakhstan. The Foreign Office confirmed the supporter was shot in the leg in a bar in the neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
08 May 2009
Stabbed Mother 'Had Contacted Police' Over Safety Fears
A mother-of-three has been found stabbed to death at her home had called the police hours before her death, it has emerged. Mary Griffiths, a 38-year-old fitness instructor, from Bury St Edmunds, died early on Wednesday.
Stabbed Mother 'Had Contacted Police' Over Safety Fears
A mother-of-three has been found stabbed to death at her home had called the police hours before her death, it has emerged. Mary Griffiths, a 38-year-old fitness instructor, from Bury St Edmunds, died early on Wednesday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
