Student casualties, attacks, rioting

[bertc]

I have been in contact with my wife and she reports that they have found at least one body of someone who appears to be a student. They did not say if they had identified the body yet.

What is even more disturbing is that students who live off campus have been arriving at the True Blue campus telling of frightening experiences with locals. They say that the locals are rioting and looting the town of St. George's armed with guns and machetes. Some of the students have been attacked and have somehow escaped to tell of it.

What's more is word that the Histology professor required all of the students in his class (basically all of the first-term med students) to sit and listen to the remainder of his 2 hour lecture AFTER warnings were announced to prepare and pack for the "tropical storm". No one had been warned that this would be a full-blown hurricane. Everyone, including faculty, took the announcement lightly - recalling the Tropical Storm Earl evacuation that was nothing more than a little rain.

All of the buildings are standing. Most, if not all, have experienced massive flooding and roof damage. There is no way classes will start on Monday. SGU trying to tend to their financial needs by alluding to class resuming is terrible. Faculty are more concerned about their houses being damaged than the security of the students.

This is disturbing on many levels. There is no security at the school. There is no running water or facilities, no electricity, no communication, no transportation, no medical attention, no safety. Students fear for their lives.

This is no exaggeration. We need to get our government involved if there is no one there to tend to our loved ones needs.

[Cuando2]

I have been in contact with my wife and she reports that they have found at least one body of someone who appears to be a student. They did not say if they had identified the body yet.

What is even more disturbing is that students who live off campus have been arriving at the True Blue campus telling of frightening experiences with locals. They say that the locals are rioting and looting the town of St. George's armed with guns and machetes. Some of the students have been attacked and have somehow escaped to tell of it.

What's more is word that the Histology professor required all of the students in his class (basically all of the first-term med students) to sit and listen to the remainder of his 2 hour lecture AFTER warnings were announced to prepare and pack for the "tropical storm". No one had been warned that this would be a full-blown hurricane. Everyone, including faculty, took the announcement lightly - recalling the Tropical Storm Earl evacuation that was nothing more than a little rain.

All of the buildings are standing. Most, if not all, have experienced massive flooding and roof damage. There is no way classes will start on Monday. SGU trying to tend to their financial needs by alluding to class resuming is terrible. Faculty are more concerned about their houses being damaged than the security of the students.

This is disturbing on many levels. There is no security at the school. There is no running water or facilities, no electricity, no communication, no transportation, no medical attention, no safety. Students fear for their lives.

This is no exaggeration. We need to get our government involved if there is no one there to tend to our loved ones needs.

while I mean not to imply doubt to your recent postings about conditions post-hurricane at SGU, I really am surprised by the striking differences in the information presented in your posts vs. those presented by other sources (CNN, other news sources, and the SGU official posts on the website). It was reported that there were no injuries to students, only 19 (as i've last heard) to locals.

I would obviously expect there to be some disarray there, as a cat 4 hurricane DID just pass over the island...meaning, this would obviously explain the outages of water and power (done for safety reasons I would imagine, not purposefully). I hope things are ok down there though, as none of us up here back home know what its really like to be down there right now.

[roadie]

My sister told me information that is similar but not identical to the original poster's information. Again, I would prefer not to go into the details of what I was told right now, but I will say they are sililar to the OP, and definately contradict what is being said by the school and other news sources. Only time will tell what is acurate, which is why I suggest waiting it out.

Roadie

[bertc]

I really am surprised by the striking differences in the information presented in your posts vs. those presented by other sources (CNN, other news sources, and the SGU official posts on the website). It was reported that there were no injuries to students, only 19 (as i've last heard) to locals.
Yes, the differences would be that I have spoken to a first-person source. I have also just called the U.S. State Department and they have confirmed much of the information that my wife has told me.

The person I spoke to confirmed the rioting, looting, the armed locals, etc. He wanted some kind of I.D. on the body of the student which I could not give. They are hoping to send a team out tomorrow via air to assess the situation and if they need to evacuate U.S. citizens. He has confirmed that it is and UNSAFE PLACE TO BE right now and that students should try and hole themselves up in as safe a place as possible. Let's see SGU spin this in an eloquent way.

And, no need to take my word for it. If you have information that your children, family have called you about, SPECIFICALLY if there is any threat to U.S. citizens, please call the State Department's special number they have setup for this situation at: (888) 407-4747. I was also told I could get up to date information there as well.

For those of us who have loved ones in jeapordy there, CNN and the official SGU site's news just isn't current, unbiased, or accurate enough.


------------
UPDATE: Reuters revised the number of dead to be at least 20. The info from 3 hours ago from students coming onto campus was over 50 dead. (non-student casualties)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6185467

[Nimitt]

Our prayers are with all the family, friends, and the students at the school. I agree with the first poster and we should do whatever we can from here to help the students and if that means making calls to bayshore to assure the safety of family and friends then thats what we should be doing.

Nimitt
4th year
SGU SOM

[stateofequilibrium]

Prayers indeed. I hope that it is just a rumor that a student died.

[drzed]

My prayers are with the family, friends and other loved ones affected by this...




For those of us who have loved ones in jeapordy there, CNN and the official SGU site's news just isn't current, unbiased, or accurate enough.

[Cuando2]

Yes, the differences would be that I have spoken to a first-person source. I have also just called the U.S. State Department and they have confirmed much of the information that my wife has told me.

The person I spoke to confirmed the rioting, looting, the armed locals, etc. He wanted some kind of I.D. on the body of the student which I could not give. They are hoping to send a team out tomorrow via air to assess the situation and if they need to evacuate U.S. citizens. He has confirmed that it is and UNSAFE PLACE TO BE right now and that students should try and hole themselves up in as safe a place as possible. Let's see SGU spin this in an eloquent way.

And, no need to take my word for it. If you have information that your children, family have called you about, SPECIFICALLY if there is any threat to U.S. citizens, please call the State Department's special number they have setup for this situation at: (888) 407-4747. I was also told I could get up to date information there as well.

For those of us who have loved ones in jeapordy there, CNN and the official SGU site's news just isn't current, unbiased, or accurate enough.


------------
UPDATE: Reuters revised the number of dead to be at least 20. The info from 3 hours ago from students coming onto campus was over 50 dead. (non-student casualties)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6185467

Good info, i am glad you are relaying this info on here so that other parents/relatives can at least have a glimpse of what is going on down there. The CNN articles and the SGU website are rather vague, and provide no detail whatsoever. They probably think people would panic if they posted more accurate info on their site. I hope things turn out well down there...it must be really scary to be in the situation of the students down there. Good luck to all

[Cuando2]

My sister told me information that is similar but not identical to the original poster's information. Again, I would prefer not to go into the details of what I was told right now, but I will say they are sililar to the OP, and definately contradict what is being said by the school and other news sources. Only time will tell what is acurate, which is why I suggest waiting it out.

Roadie

If you wouldn't mind, would you please post whatever info you have acquired regarding the situation of the students down there? Again, i am quite sure there are a large number of nervous/worried individuals who could use some of the info you may have on the situation.

[stephew]

the rumors have reached sgu; they are looking into what's going on.

[bertc]

Why not post as much info as possible on the board, as you receive it? SGU is doing a disservice by downplaying the severity of the damage done and the imminent danger. People need to know if there is anything that can be done to send assistance (in this case, food, water, security) to the students and citizens on campus and in the hotels.

News has confirmed the damage to the prisons where convicted criminals are jailed. These include the actual criminals of war that led the coup that warranted intervention by the U.S. military. Locals are confirmed to be armed with weapons. Does anyone think this is reason to get the U.S. State Dept. to evacuate their citizens?

[Kielbasakid]

I have been in contact with my wife and she reports that they have found at least one body of someone who appears to be a student. They did not say if they had identified the body yet.

What is even more disturbing is that students who live off campus have been arriving at the True Blue campus telling of frightening experiences with locals. They say that the locals are rioting and looting the town of St. George's armed with guns and machetes. Some of the students have been attacked and have somehow escaped to tell of it.

What's more is word that the Histology professor required all of the students in his class (basically all of the first-term med students) to sit and listen to the remainder of his 2 hour lecture AFTER warnings were announced to prepare and pack for the "tropical storm". No one had been warned that this would be a full-blown hurricane. Everyone, including faculty, took the announcement lightly - recalling the Tropical Storm Earl evacuation that was nothing more than a little rain.

All of the buildings are standing. Most, if not all, have experienced massive flooding and roof damage. There is no way classes will start on Monday. SGU trying to tend to their financial needs by alluding to class resuming is terrible. Faculty are more concerned about their houses being damaged than the security of the students.

This is disturbing on many levels. There is no security at the school. There is no running water or facilities, no electricity, no communication, no transportation, no medical attention, no safety. Students fear for their lives.

This is no exaggeration. We need to get our government involved if there is no one there to tend to our loved ones needs.

I took your advice and called the State Dept. They are open until 8pm EDT. Brittany, the helpful woman I spoke to said they have no information on locals armed or otherwise attacking St. George's students. She also said that they have no info on a team going out tomorrow via air to assess the damage. She did say that consular personnel are trying to get to the university to personally check on the students. However, they do know that the school did suffer some damage, however, the students are safe there. She also said that the airport on the island is still closed. This is not a good situation, and I'm not trying to be a Pollyanna, but I prefer to see the glass as half full.

My son - an SGU student - called this morning and spoke briefly to my husband. He said that things aren't the greatest but NOT as bad as being described.

[bertc]

Brittany, the helpful woman I spoke to said they have no information on locals armed or otherwise attacking St. George's students. She also said that they have no info on a team going out tomorrow via air to assess the damage.
The information on the students getting attacked is information that I heard directly. The hotline is there to gather info and disseminate confirmed info to concerned folks. The direct line of the representative that told me about the team going out there is: (202) 647-4384. Call him if you would like to confirm.

I'm glad you can see the positive side of things. Panicking or worrying without any positive action is pointless. I am just as hopeful as anyone else that your son, my wife, and the all the students at SGU will be happily attending class this coming Monday.

[Mabel]

Our prayers go out to all SGU students and staff. Hope you are all safe and whatever needs to be repaired is done soon.

[Cuando2]

the following info available at: http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/grenada.shtml

URGENT … URGENT … URGENT … URGENT … URGENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SECURITY CHALLENGES IN GRENADA
Non-essential personnel should re-consider travel at this time

Barbados, Sep 08, 2004: 6:30 pm (CDERA) – The Caribbean Disaster Emergency
Response Agency (CDERA) has received reports of a serious security situation in
Grenada. In response, members of the Regional Security System were deployed and
are now on the ground to assist the authorities in maintaining law and order. A
second contingent is on its way.

CDERA has also been receiving numerous requests as well as information that
many institutions and agencies including commercial interests and media are
planning flights into Grenada.

CDERA wishes to advise that only essential personnel can be guaranteed safety
of passage at this time and strongly urge other non-essential parties to
reconsider travel arrangements to the country until it can be verified that the
security situation has been stabilised.




FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
****** Collymore
Coordinator, CDERA
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Donovan Gentles
Preparedness and Response Manager
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Terry Ally
Public Education and Information Specialist
Tel: (246) 425-0386

[father]

...sorry but it's not a rumors....You can not call information we received from our kids just RUMORS!!!

[father]

[duplicate post, original text can be found here (http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?p=119492#119492).]

[bertc]

... a serious security situation in Grenada. In response, members of the Regional Security... now on the ground to assist the authorities in maintaining law and order. A second contingent is on its way... only essential personnel can be guaranteed safety of passage at this time... strongly urge other non-essential parties to reconsider travel ... until it can be verified that the security situation has been stabilised.
Translation: Rioting, looting, total chaos, not enough authorities to control the situation, stay the heck away from Grenada. I'd say we can agree that it's not safe for our loved ones there right now.

This CNN article confirms our worst fears. May God be with each and every one of them.
The most powerful hurricane to hit Grenada in a decade killed at least 12 people, damaged 90 percent its homes and destroyed a prison, leaving criminals on the loose, officials said Wednesday. American medical students were taking precautions against looters....

She said students there, mostly Americans, were arming themselves with knives, sticks and pepper spray for fear that looters in the city would come up the hill. "We don't feel safe," she said by telephone service that was sporadic...

When she wandered downtown after the hurricane passed, Lazarevic said she saw bands of men carrying machetes looting a hardware store. She said she saw a bank with glass facade intact during one pass that was totally smashed when she returned...

While the storm passed, students hid under mattresses or in bathrooms. "The pipes were whistling, the doors were vibrating, gusts were coming underneath the window," Lazarevic said. "It was absolutely terrifying."

******** confirmed that an unknown number of criminals were on the loose after the country's crumbling and overcrowded 17th century prison, a hilltop fortress in colonial days, was "completely devastated."

Eight inmates went to a public shelter in Grand Anse, just south of the capital, relating they escaped when winds ripped off the roof and caved in stone walls at Richmond Hill Prison. Others at the shelter said the prisoners stayed about two hours and then left. It was unclear if escapees included former Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard and 16 others jailed for life since their convictions for killings during a Marxist palace coup in 1983.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WEATHER/09/08/hurrican.ivan.ap/index.html

[stateofequilibrium]

jesus. Seriously guys, good luck and if you can get them out, I would imagine it would be the best thing until the island returns to some normalcy. I cannot imagine how students would be able to effectively study anyways if they had to line up for rations and water.

On that note, it's still hurricane season so I'm thinking of at least maybe having my dad ship my knives down to me. :shock:

[Cuando2]

honestly, there are prisoners running around that island right now, but they've been in prison since 1983 from what I've understood from all the articles so far. Plus, living on an island like grenada...they've probably forgotten how to be an effective criminal (not that they were too sophisticated to begin with). on top of that, with all the destruction, its probably slightly difficult to acquire powerful weapons, of which i doubt exist on an island like grenada. plus, there IS a military vessel right along the waters of the nation, for which I doubt about 15 criminals could withstand attacks from if they did try to do anything at all. if they criminals were half-way smart, they would rather try to flee the island by water to south america and just give up the criminal life (or start a new one in venezuela or something) rather than try to terrorize people in Grenada and risk getting thrown away again. they've probably had enough for 21 yrs rotting in prison. also, troops and such personnel are on the way, if not already there, so i doubt the weak criminals will be able to do much down there, especially if they haven't even done anything as of yet. i hope some of these points can settle some fears.

[stateofequilibrium]

from what I understand, the prisoners are those involved with the coup back in the days when the US invaded Grenada.

[azskeptic]

last time when the US invaded Grenada they code named it "Urgent Fury".....

[Cuando2]

i guess what i was trying to say is that despite the obvious possibility that those criminals may attempt another coup d'etat, they probably forgot "how" to perform one, so the chances seemed to be low. but as steph said, lets keep the speculations at a minimum.

[stephew]

PLease continue this in one thread so everyone can follow.

http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?t=23935&start=15