The death toll from the strongest earthquake in the last 40 years and the tsunami it triggered in twelve countries of Asia and Africa, which occurred on Saturday, has exceeded 76,000 people. Almost a third of the dead are children. \n \nThe total number of victims of the giant waves may reach 100,000 people. Thousands of people are missing, millions have been left without a roof over their heads. In the affected countries, there is a great risk of epidemics breaking out in places of mass fatalities. According to specialists of the World Health Organization, they could claim no fewer human lives than the tsunami. \n \nAccording to American seismologists, the earthquake with a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale shifted the tectonic plates beneath the floor of the Indian Ocean by 30 meters, slightly changing the location of the islands near Sumatra. Waves up to 10 meters high traveled in places at a speed of up to 800 kilometers per hour. \n \nGerman insurers estimate the total amount of damage at more than 13 billion US dollars. During the most expensive and large-scale international rescue operation, more than 20 countries of the world promised to provide emergency assistance totaling more than 60 million dollars. \n \nRecall that among the victims in the PSA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine found a Ukrainian woman who lost her documents and personal belongings and turned to the Ukrainian embassy in Thailand. The Ukrainian woman is alive and well, diplomats have already contacted her relatives in Ukraine and are currently taking measures to return her from Bangkok (Thailand) to Kyiv. \n \nEarlier, the Foreign Ministry announced the creation of a "hotline" at the telephone number 238-15-88, through which one can receive or provide information about the possible presence of Ukrainian citizens among those killed by the earthquake and tsunami in southeast Asia. \n \nBased on materials from RIA "Novosti", "Finmarket", "proUA".