Silencio por víctimas del maremoto

European countries have observed a three minute silence in tribute to the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. It's a tragedy that has touched the hearts of people all over the world. This report from Dan Isaacs:

A time for reflection. To share a few moments in silent memory.

Across Europe, flags have been lowered to half mast; in shops and offices the silence is being observed the frantic energy of the continent's stock exchange trading floors have been brought to a rare brief moment of calm; a time for some to pray to a god who's role in such a tragedy is hard to understand, but who provides comfort and solace for many of the survivors.

This is a disaster that has reached into the homes of families across the world, the inescapable images of death and suffering almost unbearable. And the response has been overwhelming. Tens of millions of dollars in donations have come from private individuals and now many hundreds of millions from European governments towards the relief efforts across southern Asia.

Europe is mourning its own dead, and showing its solidarity and support for those still in desperate need on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

Listen to the words

reflection
reflexión

half mast
a media asta

observed
guardar, han guardado silencio

frantic
frenética

solace
consuelo

unbearable
insoportable

overwhelming
abrumadora, sobrecogedora

donations
donaciones

relief efforts
esfuerzos de ayuda

mourning
luto