On early warning system

Referring to Frank Richardson's letter Incompetence the real killer (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 6), I would like to make following points.

Some experts believe that an early warning system which would be activated when a tsunami formed, would be too late anyway, with panic being just as bad.

He has the answer in his closing comments as to why an early warning would probably be ignored. Most people would be more afraid their belongings would be looted in their absence to simply leave when a warning was issued or a quake was felt.

ROGER MCDANIEL, Brisbane, Australia