30 Dutch people still missing after tsunami

4 January 2005

AMSTERDAM — Thirty Dutch people are still listed as missing following the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Foreign Ministry in The Hague confirmed on Tuesday.

*sidebar1*There are growing fears the group are among the estimated 145,000 fatalities. Six Dutch people have been listed as killed so far.

The number of Dutch nationals yet to be traced has fallen from 500 to 150 in recent days.

The number may fall further as everyone suspected of being in the region — and who has not contacted family or friends — was initially put on the the list of untraced people. Many have since been found.

The 30 names on the list of the missing were added because the authorities have concrete evidence they were in one of the regions hit by the tsunami. It is feared they were killed as nothing has been heard from them.

Dutch Interior Minister Johan Remkes has travelled to Thailand to inspect the relief operation and the search for victims.

Subject: Dutch news, Indian Ocean disaster