Child from village covered by mud flow. (Note the roof in the background)

'Hope', photo of kid with background of mudflow above roof at

SURABAYA, 02 February 2008 (IRIN) - It is fair to say the Sidoargjo

mudflow in East Java Province, Indonesia, qualifies as a truly unique

disaster, even in a country that is considered by many experts the

most disaster-prone in the world, what with its frequent earthquakes,

tsunamis, floods and landslides.

 

According to Sucahyono, an engineer with the Sidoargjo Mudflow

Mitigation Agency, a government entity, the mudflow has now inundated

some 650 hectares of land formerly replete with fish farms, sugar

plantations, rice paddies and factories.

 

While there is no current estimate of total damage, a November 2006

government assessment reported that 1,810 houses, 18 schools, two

government offices, 20 factories and 15 mosques had been engulfed by

the mud in outskirts of Surabaya.

Really gorgeous character & nice background, Alec, also perfect exposure as usual!!! Best regards

Perfect !!

Beautiful, great capture, Alec, all is perfect.

 

Alberto

Fantastic portrait

Good crop and well balanced light and shadow.

Thanks for the info. Very sad. I'm glad you told the story.

Thanks guys, I was in Surabaya last week and happened to come across this current tragedy which is still unresolved. Felt it was a pertinent event to share with PN members.

 

Excellent composition once again Alec.

A beautiful, very moving portrait and an important story. Regards...

Thank you that you have inform about the disaster. Truly 'manmade' disaster. People there still waiting for government responsibility...but after 2 years there are not real respons from the company and the government.

Correction: Sidoarjo ...not Sidoargjo. ( An industrial city near Surabaya)

Excelente retrato,Estupendo encuadre y expresion captada.

 

Un cordial saludo -Tolo.

interesting work, colours and light.

best regards.

 

RN

Striking portrait Alec,great work,best regards

Another beautiful and impressive portrait!

Compelling image of a sad situation.

Thank you Kim, Shuki, A.Q., Guiseppe, Michael, Rarindra. This story was also featured in January 2008 National Geographic magazine. Check out the link. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2008-01/volcano-culture/drowning-in-mud.html

Thank you for the link to the article Alec. I had never heard of a mud volcano before. What misery these people are living in.

Wonderful portrait with incredible light and expression. The eyes have great depth of warm and humanity. All the Best

A wonderful photo of this young boy, his face full of unease as he 'lives' through a 'hell' on earth.  A shot so well deserving of the 'Response' it received.  It is a 'timeless' shot, representative of the dangers adults and children alike, FACE on a daily basis in many countries.  I apologize for not seeing it so much sooner, Great shot....while a  terrible situation, congrats on being so well received.  Sincerely, Gail