Kohl says tsunami destruction reminds him of World War II

Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who narrowly escaped the tsunami that damaged his Sri Lanka hotel, said yesterday the devastation reminded him of the destruction of World War II.

In a contribution for Bild newspaper, Mr Kohl said he planned to stay in the Sri Lanka resort of Thalpe and not return to Germany despite fears of an epidemic because he didn't want to abandon the region at a time of need.

"At first we didn't understand that the flood wave had such a destructive effect," Mr Kohl, 74, said. "Only when we saw that the entire first and second floors of our hotel were under water did we realise the full extent of the catastrophe."

Mr Kohl, chancellor from 1982 to 1998, is on a private holiday. He said he was fortunate to be on the third floor of the hotel. "Everything around the hotel was destroyed and our hotel was also badly damaged," said Mr Kohl. "The sea took everything with it. It reminded me of the images from the war that I lived through as a youth. It looked like a bomb attack." Mr Kohl said at first he wanted to stay in the hotel after the flood. He said none of the 50 to 60 Swiss and Germans at his hotel were among the victims.

"We were advised to move out of the area," he said. "But we decided to stay. I didn't want to run away. I thought it was important to stay and try to organise help. But after two days there was no electricity or water and we were told to leave."

Mr Kohl, then airlifted to another hotel near Colombo with the others from his stricken hotel, said he would stay in Sri Lanka to try to help the victims of the flood.

"We're staying in Sri Lanka because we want to help, especially to get projects for children up and running," Mr Kohl said. "We don't want to close our eyes to the tremendous suffering here."