TEL AVIV – As the death toll in Southeast Asia continued to mount following Sunday`s devastating tsunami disaster, Israel`s Foreign Ministry worked overtime to account for missing and injured Israeli nationals.
Chaos and confusion are rampant on the island of Phuket. Rabbi Nechemia Wilhelm, who has spent the last four days searching and helping to identify bodies—many that have deteriorated in the water—is in the vortex of this turmoil.
Representatives of Chabad-Lubavitch, the only Jewish service agency in Thailand, with centers in Bangkok, Chang Mai and Ko Samui, and Chabad of Bombay, India, have been working round the clock.
Following the earthquake and tsunami that have destroyed hundreds of seaside towns in Asia and Africa leaving thousands dead, relatives of Israelis touring Thailand are anxious to hear about their loved ones.