AP Exclusive: Tsunami Survivor Was Only Man Left Alive on Tiny Island

[Tsiyu]

By Neelesh Misra Associated Press Writer
Published: Jan 28, 2005


CAMPBELL BAY, India (AP) - For 25 days after the tsunami killed everyone else on his island, Michael Mangal roamed the expanse in just his underwear, waiting for death and praying for life, thinking of the spirits that terrified him and the woman who never loved him.
Finally one day, he heard the chugging of a distant motor boat. He took off his underwear and began waving to the men who would rescue him - dazed, dehydrated and naked.

Now, he wants to return.

The 40-year-old widower was rescued Jan. 19 from Pillowpanja island, at the southern end of India's remote Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. All of the other 100 or so islanders were washed away by the Dec. 26 tsunami.

"I thought I would die, and worse than that, I would die all alone," the coconut farmer told The Associated Press this week in his first interview.

"All I came back to each evening was a Bible that I found in the rubble, and I read it every evening and prayed," said Mangal, speaking Nicobarese through a translator.


more:

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBYG8I1I4E.html

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

1. funny how the guy who read the Bible lived-the Hindus & heathens died

great religious propaganda---like the one that chimp reads the bible every day--i don't even think Chump can read advanced level material-only childrens stories-

[Jack_DeLeon]

2. Thats hardly the case...

Mangal, a Christian like many other Nicobarese tribesmen...

The others were Christians too, and they were not spared.

[Turley]

3. Oh Jesus!

Does everything have to be propaganda or a freakin' conspiracy?

It's just a straight-up article for cryin' out loud.

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

6. Lighten Up for"christ" sakes!!! just playing around a little!!

Christians reely rock!
you happy?

[SoCalDem]

4. Why on earth would he want to go back?

It sounds like all the "long term survivors" have coconuts to thank for their lives ..

I am glad he was found, and sad that he lost all his friends and family.:(

[xchrom]

5. that struck me as well

and the thought comes to me: that was his world.
i don't know what that means -- but it was my only answer.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. I might feel the same way if I lost everything...

He's a fisherman. Despite the changes brought by the Tsunami, he knows the waters there better than anywhere else. His last memories of his family and friends occurred there; and those memories are his most cherished possessions now.

I hope he soon has company.