Human losses due to natural catastrophes are sevenfold higher than those of 2002

In 2003, more than 70 000 people perished in natural disasters throughout the world, that is, sevenfold the 2002 figures mainly due to the summer heat wave in Europe and to the Bam earthquake in Iran.
According to Munich Re, damage caused by natural disasters reached 60 billion USD in 2003, that is, 5 billion USD above the 2002 figures. Storms accounted for one third of the 700 censed disasters and 75% of the covered damage.