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QUAKE LATEST

Terrible news from Indonesia, following yet more terrible news:

Nine Australian service personnel were killed tonight when a Navy helicopter crashed in Indonesia during earthquake relief operations, military officials said.

The nine Australians - seven men and two women - died when a Navy Sea King chopper attached to the HMAS Kanimbla went down on Nias Island, off the west coast of Sumatra, at about 7.30pm (AEST).

The official toll from the quake now stands at 514, although more than twice that number are estimated to have died.

Posted by Tim B. on 04/02/2005 at 01:36 PM

  1. Will Margo call for a withdrawl of Australian troops from Earthquake relief?  Too dangerous and all.

    Posted by Andrew on 2005 04 02 at 02:58 PM • permalink

  2. I wonder if Indonesians ever die trying to help Australians? I wonder if Indonesians appreciate this? Well I do, props to Aussies.

    Posted by Supercat on 2005 04 02 at 03:08 PM • permalink

  3. damn helicopters are death traps.

    Posted by terryelee on 2005 04 02 at 04:07 PM • permalink

  4. The Pope has died.  9:37 p.m., Vatican time…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2005 04 02 at 04:20 PM • permalink

  5. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those fine Australian servicemen and women…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2005 04 02 at 04:52 PM • permalink

  6. Oh, Tim - I’m so sorry.  What a great loss for your Navy, and your country.  Bless them for what they were trying to do.

    Normal Americans send their deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and shipmates of that crew.

    (“American” and other moonbats can go to hell.)

    Posted by Barbara Skolaut on 2005 04 02 at 05:48 PM • permalink

  7. Sorry to hear Tim - condolences from us up here in the north.

    Posted by dobeln on 2005 04 02 at 07:03 PM • permalink

  8. Condolences for Australia’s loss, and for Indonesia’s as well.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2005 04 02 at 07:10 PM • permalink

  9. The armed services personnel regularly do risky things. Going to sea, flying - and flying in helos is even more risky. There can only be so much “safety first” without stopping them from doing what they do.
    We are all saddened by the loss of good people who were trying to help, doing their duty.
    Let’s honour them by continuing to support the military in their various endeavours, and woe betide any who try to make political capital out of this misfortune.

    Posted by blogstrop on 2005 04 02 at 07:23 PM • permalink

  10. Supercat, what’s your point?

    What do you know that you should question whether Indonesians - all 240 million of them - are appreciative of the assistance offered by their neighbours, including Australia?

    That’s a ridiculous assertion. Indonesia is, and has been for some time, Australia’s closest neighbour in many ways.

    The death of these Australian men and women is not an opportunity for baseless politicking.

    Posted by nwab on 2005 04 02 at 08:23 PM • permalink

  11. My condolences the families of these fine service members, and to Australia as well.  You’ve lost some good people, but please keep up the good work.  The world needs you.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2005 04 03 at 03:25 AM • permalink

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