13:16, Monday, 20 July 1998 The following information is the latest available to the Franciscan Friars as at lunch time, Monday, 20 July 1998. It has been obtained from Austen Crapp OFM, Diocesan Administrator, and from phone calls to Benedict O'Donoghue OFM, Provincial Mission Procurator. from: Franciscan Office - Australia A tidal wave, estimated at 10 metres high, struck the beach west of Aitape on a front of about 20 kilometres at 1930 hrs, Friday, 17 July. The village of Arop, population 2,500, on a spit of land fronting the Sissano lagoon was entirely wiped out. over 100 bodies were floating in the lagoon. Some 2,000 are missing, several hiding in the bush far from the sea, the survivors fleeing in terror of another wave. The survivors are without food, water and shelter. Only the dead and severely injured were m the village when medical teams arrived. The village of Teles, population 250, has been destroyed. The beach front of Malol. village, population, 2,000, has also been wiped out. The dead are now estimated to be 1,000 or more. The devastation is much worse than at first reckoned. The bridge over the Waipo river has fallen down but a shuttle service of vehicles has now been established by road from Aitape to Malol. A truck load of badly injured reached the mission hospital on Saturday night. The hospital is full to overflowing with injured, mainly fractures from falling trees and broken houses. The doctors have begun moving the worst cases to Wewak hospital today. Sissano and Warapu villages, population 6,000, are extensively damaged. The villages of Nimas and Warapu, population, 3,000, are completely swept away, including the mission church, clinic and school. The people have fled to the bush. The airstrip at Sissano is usable: an aircraft landed Saturday with food and medicines accompanied by a doctor. Immediate needs are m~ attention, evacuation to Aitape hospital, food, fresh water and cooking utensils. A detachment of police and army personnel from Vanimo, provincial capital arrived Sunday to search for and bury the dead. Austen reports that 700 were buried yesterday, Sunday. The lagoon is full of debris from trees, houses and household goods, mixed with bodies. The mouth of the canal is choked with bodies, making canoe access impossible. Several small speedboats have gone to the area seeking bodies of relatives at sea. Local airlines have been unstinting in support of the rescue effort. The National Disaster Organization has responded quickly and is establishing aid in doctors, nurses, medicines and army teams, with helicopters and aircraft from Australian and PNG sources. The single helicopter m Aitape from Saturday took to the air at first light to continue the transport of injured to hospital- Early today three Australian Hercules aircraft arrived with medical staff and supplies. None of twenty friars or seven Poor Clares in the Aitape area have been injured or lost their lives. The situation is changing by the hour. At present, it appears that the death toll is about 2,000, with hundreds still missing. 5,000 people are homeless and destitute. Any donations should be sent to: FMU Diocese of Altape Development Fund, PO Box 93, Waverley NSW 2024. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible, and a tax rebate receipt will be issued. Fr Benedict O'Donoghue OFM, Mission Procurator, Franciscan Mission Office, PO Box 93, Waverley NSW 2024, Australia, Tel: + 61 2 9387 2689 Franciscan Provincial Office , 47 Victioria Street, Waverley NSW 2024, Australia, Tel: + 61 2 9389 5955, Fax: + 61 2 9389 8597