Sometimes it takes massive trajedy of such magnitude to make the world come together. Sad, but true.
At the Elysee Palace in Paris, a somber President Jacques Chirac observed the tribute with government officials and about 600 civil servants. In Brussels, hundreds of officials gathered outside European Union (news - web sites) headquarters to pay their respects as flags flew at half-staff.
At Europe’s busiest airport, London’s Heathrow, all takeoffs and landings were suspended for five minutes to not disturb the silence. Pilots were told not to taxi or even start their engines.
As the board flashed noon at the Frankfurt, Germany, stock exchange, traders turned their backs to their screens, some with eyes closed. The regularly buzzing trading floor fell quiet, with only the ringing of unanswered phones and the hum of tickers audible. At least 60 Germans died in the disaster — the highest official toll of foreigners so far — and another 1,000 remain missing
Spanish National Television’s two channels broadcast images of the effects of the tsunami. The national radio station played choral music and read out damage reports. Most other private TV channels and radio stations continued with their normal broadcasts.Britain’s Independent newspaper ran a white front page, blank save for the words: “To remember the tsunami victims … silence.”
In Rome, hundreds gathered outside the town hall, many with tears in their eyes, as bells tolled in several nearby churches.
Read more about the day of commemoration for the tsunami victims here.
