Tsunami claims Cape man

2004-12-28 22:06

André Gouws

Cape Town - Well-known Cape Town accountant Morris Isaacson of Sea Point is the first known Cape victim of the tsunami disaster that hit Thailand and other South East Asian countries and Africa at the weekend.

Isaacson, 51, was on holiday in Phuket with a group of friends, most of them members of the Sea Point synagogue choir.

At least one of them, the Cape auctioneer Rael Levitt, was already on his way home. One other member of the group was still missing.

Isaacson flew to Thailand from the Cape on Friday, two days before the disaster struck, said his father, 83-year-old Norman Isaacson on Tuesday.

Isaacson sen said he became concerned when he heard nothing from his son for two days.

"Everyone got messages, but I heard nothing. At first I thought the telephone lines must have been cut, but after not hearing anything for two days, I became concerned," he said.

Isaacson junior's body was identified in Thailand by one of the members of his group. The synagogue informed his father of his death on Monday.

Isaacson was apparently in a supermarket in Phuket when the tsunami hit. He was swept away.

"It's a great shock. One doesn't expect something like this," Isaacson sen said.

His son's body was expected to arrive with the rescue aircraft the South African government in conjunction with Netcare and the Jewish council of representatives sent to Thailand on Tuesday.

Isaacson said his son was an active athlete and a popular singer. He was well-loved among friends and colleagues.

He leaves a son, David Isaacson, 22.

- Die Burger