62,111 dead: The toll of the war on terror so far... but experts say it could be three times higher
By REBECCA CAMBER
11th September 2006
British soldiers in Afghanistan.
The human cost of the 'war on terror' is laid bare today on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The official death toll of those killed in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - as well as in terrorist attacks on America, London, Madrid, and Bali - runs to at least 62,111 dead.
But experts have warned that the true total could be up to three times higher.
Tony Blair and George Bush have been dealt another blow by a survey revealing that just seven per cent of the British public believe the U.S. and the UK are winning the fight against terrorism.
According to a YouGov poll, more than 70 per cent think that Blair's Middle East strategy has made Britain a target for terrorists. Two-thirds of those who replied fear that the war on terror will continue after their death.
In an attempt to gauge the scale of the bloodshed since September 11, a group of American and British academics have calculated the numbers of those killed as a result of terrorism.
Some 2,973 people died in the 9/11 attacks, with 5,308 civilians killed in the Afghanistan invasion, and 385 military serving there.
A staggering 50,101 civilians have died in Iraq, as well as 2,899 military personnel. Another 445 lives have been lost in bombings around the world.
The figures include 303 British civilian and military lives taken in the last five years. But one expert has estimated that if other deaths were taken into account - namely the insurgents, the Iraqi military during the 2003 invasion and those dying from wounds - the true number could be as high as 180,000.
The gruesome toll has been worked out by a group of British and U.S. researchers, called the Iraq Body Count group, with Professor Marc Herold of the University of New Hampshire.
They estimate that the war on terror has created 4.5million refugees and cost the U.S. and the UK governments in excess of £258billion - more than the sum needed to pay off the debts of every poor nation on earth.
And the figures came as U.S. and Pakistani officials revealed that the trail for Osama bin Laden has gone cold.
Despite the billions spent chasing the terrorist mastermind - and the most extensive manhunt in U.S. history - no credible lead has emerged in more than two years.
Ceremonies are being held around the world to mark the fifth anniversary of the terrorist outrage on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
Among those travelling to the U.S. to pay their respects is Prince Andrew, who is due to meet the families of around 25 victims.
Baroness Thatcher will also be attending a church service in Washington and a commemorative-ceremony at the White House afterwards. Around 120 British police officers will form part of an honour guard in a remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero.
In London, thousands of workers are expected to mark the anniversary.
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips will join cricketers Shane Warne and Andrew Flintoff in a series of fundraising events.
No official commemorations have been arranged in the UK in accordance with the victims' families' wishes, but a wreath will be laid outside the American embassy in London.
dailymail.co.uk
By REBECCA CAMBER
11th September 2006
British soldiers in Afghanistan.
The human cost of the 'war on terror' is laid bare today on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The official death toll of those killed in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - as well as in terrorist attacks on America, London, Madrid, and Bali - runs to at least 62,111 dead.
But experts have warned that the true total could be up to three times higher.
Tony Blair and George Bush have been dealt another blow by a survey revealing that just seven per cent of the British public believe the U.S. and the UK are winning the fight against terrorism.
According to a YouGov poll, more than 70 per cent think that Blair's Middle East strategy has made Britain a target for terrorists. Two-thirds of those who replied fear that the war on terror will continue after their death.
In an attempt to gauge the scale of the bloodshed since September 11, a group of American and British academics have calculated the numbers of those killed as a result of terrorism.
Some 2,973 people died in the 9/11 attacks, with 5,308 civilians killed in the Afghanistan invasion, and 385 military serving there.
A staggering 50,101 civilians have died in Iraq, as well as 2,899 military personnel. Another 445 lives have been lost in bombings around the world.
The figures include 303 British civilian and military lives taken in the last five years. But one expert has estimated that if other deaths were taken into account - namely the insurgents, the Iraqi military during the 2003 invasion and those dying from wounds - the true number could be as high as 180,000.
The gruesome toll has been worked out by a group of British and U.S. researchers, called the Iraq Body Count group, with Professor Marc Herold of the University of New Hampshire.
They estimate that the war on terror has created 4.5million refugees and cost the U.S. and the UK governments in excess of £258billion - more than the sum needed to pay off the debts of every poor nation on earth.
And the figures came as U.S. and Pakistani officials revealed that the trail for Osama bin Laden has gone cold.
Despite the billions spent chasing the terrorist mastermind - and the most extensive manhunt in U.S. history - no credible lead has emerged in more than two years.
Ceremonies are being held around the world to mark the fifth anniversary of the terrorist outrage on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
Among those travelling to the U.S. to pay their respects is Prince Andrew, who is due to meet the families of around 25 victims.
Baroness Thatcher will also be attending a church service in Washington and a commemorative-ceremony at the White House afterwards. Around 120 British police officers will form part of an honour guard in a remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero.
In London, thousands of workers are expected to mark the anniversary.
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips will join cricketers Shane Warne and Andrew Flintoff in a series of fundraising events.
No official commemorations have been arranged in the UK in accordance with the victims' families' wishes, but a wreath will be laid outside the American embassy in London.
dailymail.co.uk
