Thai authorities fear 42 refugees killed in flood, mudslide disaster ( AFP ) September 4, 2002


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Thai authorities fear 42 refugees killed in flood, mudslide disaster

CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Sept 4 (AFP)

At least 42 people are feared dead in mudslides and flash floods at a refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border, with 16 bodies retrieved so far, officials said Wednesday.

There is little hope of finding the 26 people missing since heavy rains hit on Monday, said rescue organisers at Ban Sala camp in northeastern Mae Hong Son province, home to some 15,000 Karen and Karenni refugees.

Local Administration Department chief Apai Chandanachulaka said the first 14 bodies recovered had been quickly buried. Most of the refugees in the camp are Christian."The bodies of the missing have probably been washed into the Salween river, as we can't find them on the banks," Apai said in a television interview.

A Civil Defence Office spokesman said district officials reported that two more bodies were found Wednesday, bringing the number of bodies retrieved to 16.Apai said the disaster happened when flash floods came tumbling down steep terrain that surrounds the camp, which is also flanked by two streams that flow into the Salween.

The landslide and floodwaters destroyed more than 200 makeshift homes and damaged 121 dwellings as well as two hospitals, two churches and four schools, leaving more than 1,000 people homeless.

"It happened so quickly, in only about 15 minutes the floods washed away everything," he said.

Wai Lin Zin from the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), an activist group operating in the camp, said eyewitnesses reported that the mudslides damaged at least two dozen houses."Most of the victims fell into the overflowing stream in the dark and were carried away by the flash flood," he said.

With rain continuing to pour down, waters in the camp were rising again, posing a serious risk of more floods and the spread of disease, and forcing trapped refugees to scramble to higher ground.

"The majority of Ban Sala camp is submerged," said Wai Lin Zin. "The refugees are suffering shortages of fresh water after the main water supply line was seriously damaged by the mudslide."The activist said efforts to provide emergency aid and evacuate survivors were slow and ineffective because transport routes were badly damaged and the area was largely inaccessible.

"The refugees need emergency aid of food, clean water and medicines," he said. "I believe authorities should make efforts to control diseases like diarrhoea and others which could occur due to the clean water shortage."

Interior Minister Purachai Piumsombun flew to Mae Hong Son Tuesday but has been unable to visit the camp as roads leading to it are impassable, blocked by floodwaters and thick mud.He told reporters Wednesday that although rescuers were rushing to evacuate refugees to higher ground, the Thai government had no intention of moving the camp permanently.

Hundreds of soldiers, border patrol police and staff with non-governmental organisations are engaged in rescue work, searching for bodies and helping the homeless.The public health ministry mobilised 200 medical staff and set up a relief center at nearby Mae Sariang hospital to treat the casualties.

The camp is one of 17 in the border provinces of Tak and Mae Hong Son which give shelter to more than 120,000 ethnic Karen, Karenni and Mon refugees who have fled fighting and political persecution in Myanmar.

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