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CNN Sunday Morning
Death Toll in Algeria Rises to More Than 2,000
Aired May 25, 2003 - 07:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The death toll from Wednesday's earthquake in Algeria has risen to more than 2,000. Meanwhile, many people in the affected areas accuse the government of not doing enough to support the rescue efforts. Our Rym Brahimi has more on an increasing volatile Algeria.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Around the rubble of a 10-story building in the town of Regahaya, there is disappointment. Only dead bodies are not pulled out and then only occasionally.
And there is also anger. These young volunteers say they want to know where their government is when they need it.
"Where is the state? Where is the government," demands one man.
"Look at this soldier. His only equipment are his hands and this small hand shovel," another man tells us.
It so turns out that on that day that the man in charge of the country, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was touring the damaged areas in the province of Bourmerdes. There too, however, anger. Young men and women shout at the president and harangue his motorcade.
Bourmerdes, the closest town to the quakes epicenter is a devastating sight. Here, as a team of Russian rescuers help local look for the body of a missing woman, the earth shakes again. By now there is not hope for survivors, but efforts continue.
And there are tales of miraculous escapes, like that of Abdul Wahab Bizzazi (ph), whose home on the first floor of this building is right there.
Bizzazi (ph) tells us how his 14-year-old son, Sameel (ph), saved him, his wife and his baby brother. Sameel (ph) shows us what is left of his school books. He doesn't know whether school will resume, but his family is safe.
Zahir Tehami just arrived from London. His family also lived in this building on the top floor.
ZAHIR TEHAMI, FAMILY MEMBER: We saw the news from the BBC, where they did show and the CNN as well. They showed this area. And it was the building of my parents. I was in the state of shock, because of my grandmother, she is 97 years old, living with my parents.
BRAHIMI: Against all odds Tehami's grandmother survived. Helped by his sister Salhila (ph) and locals youths who carried her out through the balcony, leaving her scarf still hanging from the window. They are the lucky ones.
BRAHIMI (on camera): A 100 meters away a very tense atmosphere and the unmistakable smell of death betraying the presence of even more bodies trapped under heavy concrete.
BRAHIMI (voice over): As Algerians pursue their search for loved ones, initial despair is gradually giving way to anger and resentment against the government.
Rym Brahimi, CNN, Bourmerdes, Algeria.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 25, 2003 - 07:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The death toll from Wednesday's earthquake in Algeria has risen to more than 2,000. Meanwhile, many people in the affected areas accuse the government of not doing enough to support the rescue efforts. Our Rym Brahimi has more on an increasing volatile Algeria.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Around the rubble of a 10-story building in the town of Regahaya, there is disappointment. Only dead bodies are not pulled out and then only occasionally.
And there is also anger. These young volunteers say they want to know where their government is when they need it.
"Where is the state? Where is the government," demands one man.
"Look at this soldier. His only equipment are his hands and this small hand shovel," another man tells us.
It so turns out that on that day that the man in charge of the country, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was touring the damaged areas in the province of Bourmerdes. There too, however, anger. Young men and women shout at the president and harangue his motorcade.
Bourmerdes, the closest town to the quakes epicenter is a devastating sight. Here, as a team of Russian rescuers help local look for the body of a missing woman, the earth shakes again. By now there is not hope for survivors, but efforts continue.
And there are tales of miraculous escapes, like that of Abdul Wahab Bizzazi (ph), whose home on the first floor of this building is right there.
Bizzazi (ph) tells us how his 14-year-old son, Sameel (ph), saved him, his wife and his baby brother. Sameel (ph) shows us what is left of his school books. He doesn't know whether school will resume, but his family is safe.
Zahir Tehami just arrived from London. His family also lived in this building on the top floor.
ZAHIR TEHAMI, FAMILY MEMBER: We saw the news from the BBC, where they did show and the CNN as well. They showed this area. And it was the building of my parents. I was in the state of shock, because of my grandmother, she is 97 years old, living with my parents.
BRAHIMI: Against all odds Tehami's grandmother survived. Helped by his sister Salhila (ph) and locals youths who carried her out through the balcony, leaving her scarf still hanging from the window. They are the lucky ones.
BRAHIMI (on camera): A 100 meters away a very tense atmosphere and the unmistakable smell of death betraying the presence of even more bodies trapped under heavy concrete.
BRAHIMI (voice over): As Algerians pursue their search for loved ones, initial despair is gradually giving way to anger and resentment against the government.
Rym Brahimi, CNN, Bourmerdes, Algeria.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
