“Almost impossible to survive”

Jenny Martorell

Published 10.29Updated 11.21

Few injured – and many dead.

That is the consequence of a tsunami like the one in Nepal.

– It is almost impossible to survive if you are dragged along, says disaster doctor Johan von Schreeb.

Around 270 people have been confirmed dead after the tsunami on the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Almost 1,500 people are missing so far. The chance of them being found alive is minimal, according to Johan von Schreeb, professor of global disaster medicine at Karolinska Institutet.

– The forces are so strong that you cannot survive if you get into something like this. You either die or you get away with minor injuries, he says.

Few injured

For rescue workers, the big challenge is knowing where to start.

There is also the risk of aftershocks.

First of all, houses that have collapsed must be evacuated and drones must take stock of the situation. Those who have survived need water, a roof over their heads and other necessities.

– Injuries are not the big challenge here. I don't think a large number of trauma surgeons are needed, says Johan von Schreeb.

Difficult to find bodies

The search for survivors in the mud is also being de-prioritized.

– If you get caught in the wave – you die. It's like getting caught in a tsunami of liquid concrete. The chance of survival is minimal.

Another challenge will be finding bodies in the piles of solidifying mud. That will also be difficult to do, according to Johan von Schreeb.

– If you get caught under the mud and it starts to dry, there's probably no chance in the world of finding the bodies. You can use dogs to find those who are lying on the surface, because it's important for relatives to have a body to bury.