[Paul Domaille]

My inside source tells me that the death toll from the recent floods is sadly much higher than officially released figures. Last week I gather it was in excess of 100 with more bodies found in Ribera Brava today. Word has it that the government are playing it down so as not too deter tourists !

Incidentally, Madeira had unusually heavy hailstorms this morning.

Cheers,

Paul D

[Singo]

That's very sad if your source is right Paul, and if so, it's quite a disgraceful and disrespectful way for a government to conduct itself. It brings to mind the Mayor of Amity Island(?) in the Jaws movie, only that was fiction. Surely a government wouldn't act in this way in the real world?? :s

[SNOW_JOKE]

Sadly profit and the tourist business Madeira expects this coming Summer puts presidency over releasing any "official" figures as local industry knows this will hit the island hard as Portugal is also being hit by the current downturn in the EU Currency.
Its the old-age "profits over people."

[pettinger]

A friend on holiday in Madeira tells me that the worst of the damage is rapidly being cleared up, that much of the island was not badly affected (mostly only Funchal and Ribera Brava) and the islanders are very grateful indeed about the support of holiday makers. He makes no comment about casualties, but what would be the point of openly publicising an increasing body count, as long as the information is freely available upon request? An intrusion on private grief?