March 12th, 2011

Nintendo remains injury-free after earthquake in Japan, business will continue as usual

140 Comments

Everyone’s aware that Japan has been hit by a huge earthquake (with many large aftershocks). Nintendo released the following statement in regards to the safety of their employees and the damage (or lack thereof) to their headquarters in Kyoto:

> We appreciate the concern shown in the aftermath of the recent disaster in Japan. We can confirm that at this time it appears that no one from Nintendo in Japan was injured and there was no apparent structural damage to our company headquarters in Kyoto. Business operations, including future product shipments, have not been affected. Our thoughts and best wishes are with everyone who has friends and family members who may have been affected by the earthquake or tsunami.

And while this is hardly the time to be worrying about something so irrelevant in contrast as video games, Seattle Times specifically points out that “the catastrophe won’t affect business operations, apparently including shipments of the upcoming 3DS, which goes on sale March 27 in the U.S.”

Click here if you would like to help the victims in Japan.

  • nathan

    first and im glad everything is good. i was getting worried when i heard about this. i was concerned about the people and headquarters and about delays in the us of the 3ds.

    • http://aldowynsmusings.tk abujaffer

      Such a serious situation here and you say first? I can’t believe you people…

    • http://www.youtube.com/liamrproductions Liam

      You’re so ignorant and selfish, it’s unbelievable.

    • Michael

      @ abujaffer, such a serious situation and your worrying that he said first? WHATS WRONG WITH YOU GAY S*** BALLS?!?!?!?!?!

    • http://aldowynsmusings.tk abujaffer

      @Michael Such a serious situation and you bastard have time to cuss at other people? What the HE’LL is wrong with you? You’re messed up.

    • HotelSoap

      such a serious thing and all you worrying that your worying that- mindblown

    • http://fbook SPARTAN ROSS age:14

      come on konami you can do better than let the best game ever METAL GEAR SOLID be on nentendo. and whats worse letting it be on the new DS!!!!!! DUDE I MEAN REALLY so what its 3D you could of waited a little longer and made way more money by putting it on the ((PSP-NGP)). Ok so the NGP doesnt have 3D but number one PLAYSTATION is number one and they will proboubly have a “4D” button on it. Any way after PEACE WALKER (wich was amazing) people are going to be looking for that kind of fun on all the new MGS games and trust me nentendo will do something dissipointing with (in my opinian and in millians of others) the BEST GAME SERIES IN THE HISTORY OF GAME SERIES. why even take a risk when PSP-NGP- IS GOING TO BE CHEAPER IN $$$ THAN THE 3DS WILL BE and at that be WANTED MORE BY GAMERS ALL O-V-E-R T-H-E W-O-R-L-D and imagien METAL GEAR SOLID 3 in lights on GAME STOP’S best game wall. ITS NOT TO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR MIND, MR. KOJIAMA. P.S. will get through this japan one step at a time!!!

  • http://aldowynsmusings.tk abujaffer

    So nothing on their headquarters in Tokyo? But either way I’m glad they’re safe… sadly that can’t be said about hundreds of Japanese right now. My prayers to all in any of the affected areas.

    • FieraDevilWings

      *Kyoto. Yes, it seems you might have been caught in the buzz that you confused yourself.

    • http://aldowynsmusings.tk abujaffer

      They have two headquarters in Japan; one in Kyoto, and one in Tokyo. Their main HQ is in Kyoto, but they have one in Tokyo as well. Next time you’re trying to prove me wrong get your facts straight.

    • ScaledDown

      Be nice boys.

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/MarioLuigiandYoshi Jorge

    Phew!!!

  • superdk35

    Glad they’re alright because I mainly worried about Nintendo for some reason lol but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about anyone else.

    • Bladex206

      Nah, one of the first things i thought of was nintendo. not for the products sake but those are some of gamings best minds and what a shame it would be to lose them.

    • http://fbook SPARTAN ROSS age:14

      Oh really didnt sound like it D.B.

  • cobanermani456

    I’m glad everyone is ok. Even though I have been wanting the 3DS for so long I wouldn’t have minded waiting a few days or even weeks with what has been going on in Japan. Glad to know that I’ll be getting one March 27th!

    I thank God everyone’s safe and hope nothing else will happen

    • NS_Rocky89

      agreed, much prayer to the people who are in need.

    • Brown_yoshi

      Like a prayer can do anything…

    • cobanermani456

      @Brown_yoshi Wow, a lot of my prayers have been answered so prayer can do a lot.

    • O_o

      @Brown_yoshi are you trying to start a huge fight?

    • CG Kraz

      @Brown_yoshi , wow, prayer can be strong. you would be surprised.

    • http://davieturtle.deviantart.com/ DavieTurtle

      @Brown_Yoshi- Amen, brother!
      In all seriousness, prayer= making yourself feel good that you did nothing to help someone.
      Best of luck to the citizens of Japan effected in this tragedy.

    • Tails the Foxhound

      I’m not exactly the most devout person on the planet, but you two, Brown_yoshi and DavieTurtle, are just complete assholes. People have different ways of dealing with tragedy, some of them involving their faith, who are you to sit on your high horse a criticize? Why don’t you just go back to the 5th grade you little trolls.

    • Connor

      Or you could help and call their hotline to actually give them support. I know where you are coming from though, people who prayer want to help.

      Best of luck to the Japanese in this disaster.

    • Kirbyfan

      @Brown yoshi,
      Yes, prayers do work only if you believe in God very strongly. Eiether you don’t have a strong faith with God or you support Satanism.

    • Octorok_17

      @Kirbyfan: OR he is atheist, which i’m fine with people being.

    • David Cecil

      Prayer has been scientifically studied and proven not to work. But if it makes you feel better go for it.

    • Sonikdude

      @David: You’re just as much an idiot as those other 2 are. What the fuck does science have to do with prayer? Not religous? Fine. But you have no right to undermine someone’s religion just because you don’t have one. Scientifically proven my ass.

    • cobanermani456

      @David Cecil Huh, that’s funny when one of my friends had snapped his back and doctors said that he wouldn’t be able to bend down for weeks and he prayed to God and the next day he was healed and could touch his toes.

      Prayer works if you trust in God. Also, it works if it’s His will.

    • Pulsatingshadow

      @David Actually, it has been proven to work.

    • http://fbook SPARTAN ROSS age:14

      listen up you CATHOLICS GOD HATES RELIGENE was JESUS religious people. amd by the way KIRBYFAN GOD answers every ones prayors i wasnt a beleaver and i hade CYSTIC FIBROSES. and one day i was walking home from school and i yelled at the sky out of frustrasion something like what your trying to say and right when i said it a man came running up to me and laid hands on me and i was heald and i wasnt EVEN SAVED YET and that means god answered my prayor. so maby you need to start reading the BOOK and quit guesting and quit “SUPPORTING SATIISUME” (YOUR WORDS) KIRBYFAN

    • Njones731@yahoo.com

      I am satanic and so I believe religion is all crap made up by man and there is nothing after we die so we must live everyday to the fullest cause the great abstinence is ahead. My satanic rituals of compassion go out to Japan and it’s restoration and people’s safety. And I’m so happy nintendo is safe my selfish mind was only concerned about nintendo. Im glad Sony got hit I don’t need a Sony phone

  • http://3dsforums.com/members/fun-3ds-99/ Fun 3DS

    Phew…

    • http://fbook john

      low key

  • Pingback: Will the earthquake today have any effect? - Page 2 - Nintendo 3DS Forums

  • 3DS

    yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss I was worried about nintendo

  • Jose

    If something happened to nintendo idk what will happen to me :-( nintendo is the best :-) im glad all the people are ok

  • Cosmo Black FTW

    No lie, when I heard of the earthquake in Japan my mind first thought of Nintendo.

    • Lizzie1238

      Haha, me too! I heard Sony had to shut down some of their places though. Sucks for them, good for nintendo!

    • FieraDevilWings

      @Lizzie1238 – Well, looks like the 3DS will be dominating a bit longer it seems (unless it’s actually in the US that they’re holding some kind of secret NGP developments :O )

    • Flip

      ”Meanwhile electronics giant Sony has suspended production at six plants.” http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/2033619/nec-assesses-quake-damage-sony-shuts-plants

    • sammaster9

      YAAAYYY!!! SONY HAD TO SHUT DOWN 6 PLANTS :D sooo happy, go karma!

  • h

    good

  • Jun
    • Jun

      Sorry. Wrong link. Look it up for yourselves.

    • Jun

      Once again, I apologize. Apparently this a rumor that’s spread like crazy. David please delete these 3 posts to avoid any further confusion.

    • guy

      dude thats a different person your talking about I read it and it was written in 2010

    • cobanermani456

      OMG, I almost fell off my chair when I saw that…

    • Flip

      http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail?entry_id=84889

      They says Satoshi fainted not died. Better someone carry him to the nearest Pokécenter.

    • Flip

      Yes. He’s alive. That worries me a lot

  • Willink

    What a company.100+ years in which it suffered through 2 world war (one of which Japan was bombed twice), several natural disasters, changes in what their core products are and saving the gaming world in the mid 80′s. That’s one a spicy a meatball of a company.

  • guy

    thank god no one at nintendo was hurt but god bless the people who were injured

  • http://www.facebook.com/lamortdarthur aRt

    good to know they’re safe and sound, and the shipment of 3ds remains the same (sorry, someone had to say it and we all were thinking about that as well)

    • Kevin

      I know, right? I hate the people that try to pretend they don’t care about material things and play the good boys. Thinking about the 3DS won’t make you a devil and it doesn’t mean you don’t care about the people firstly.

    • bobjones

      true

  • Smockers

    What a horrible situation that would’ve been made even more horrible had Nintendo been affected by this catastrophe. My heart goes out to everyone who has been by the earthquake or the tsunamis. I hope everyone has enough decency to at least hope not another soul is shamelessly taken away by Mother Nature in this disaster.

  • STEELFLEX

    happy to hear everyone at Nintendo is ok and everything will still go as planned! I feel so terrible for everyone who has been affected by this tragedy!

    • Triforce of Course

      i know, right? we sit here in our homes,playing games and drinking kool-aid. but in another country; people are dying and we can’t do a thing about it… I wish i could help…

  • kidbuu42

    david would you have been affected by the tsunami from where you were in japan? good that you got out of there before it all started

  • MANOFMAN

    GLad to hear that everyone is safe

  • George Tirebiter

    Personally, I’m just glad they’re okay. But it does help to hear there’s no delay in the 3DS shipments.

  • max

    i fond this cool quote here

    http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo-3DS-Teardown/5029/1

    “External mics on the 3DS pick up the characteristic noise of wind blowing by the device and spin the live icons in the background of each menu as if they were in a tornado.”

  • Brendon

    Good! It may make me sound like kind of a terrible person but I was more worried about Nintendo’s well-being than the rest of Japan. I still care about the others…..just maybe not as much as the minds at Nintendo. Could you imagine if, god forbid, Miyamoto died? This would have been the single saddest day in the gaming industry.

    • Kirbyfan

      and the saddest day in the WORLD D;

    • sammaster9

      Just hearing you say Miyamoto dying, brings a tear to my eye… :’(

    • David136

      Yeah,just sayin miyamoto die brings MANLY tears

      anyway,the man runs on pure joy,as long as there is a child smiling anywhere in the world he will have a source of fuel to stay alive

      See:
      http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/9/2011/03/84dbed2a321f3a5e22819c607b2f84fd/original.jpg

      He is fine,DO NOT DARE TO SAY THESE CURSED WORDS ON THE SAME SENTENCE(miyamoto and die)

      well,im glad everyone is okay…….

  • sammaster9

    I was very happy that nintendo wasn’t effected too much, but now I feel bad that I was thinking about videogames before the people whose lives were in danger :(

  • cyberninja45

    By that pic u could just tell that building is earth quake proof

  • fred1712

    Glad to see everyone is ok and that it didn’t hurt any development. Although as for some other places in Japan…it doesn’t look like it went too well :(

  • cyberninja45

    But personally i think japan held up well through the 5th BIGGEST EARTHQUAKE EVER RECORDED IN HISTORY! I mean if it wasnt for the tsunamis I don’t think the casuality count wouldn’t even pass a 100 or even 50.

  • hax

    Hory shet thank god i was about bust a nut if shigeru or iwata died.

    • http://www.google.com Tutan

      Same here

    • Kirbyfan

      That could have been the end of the world and I will probably commit suicide, so THANK THE LORD THAT THEY HAVE LIVED ;)

    • Flip

      Don’t even think of such disaster!

  • Hristijan

    Phew!!! It would be a shame if we lose the briliant minds of nintendo they are safe but i can’t say the same for milions of japanese people GOD PROTECT US ALL!!!

  • http://www.google.com Tutan

    How come everyone is saying “Im glad that nothing happened to Nintnedo becuase the shipments will be delayed in the US” why wont the shipments be delayed in the UK?

    • Nupalupe

      the shipments WON`T be DELAYED

  • J-Biz

    Obviously, small fish in a big pond at the minute. But it’s good to know for both the sake of Japan’s economy and all of the great people at Nintendo that it’s alright.

  • http://sonic2online.com Hedgy

    Selfish or not, I can say I was caring about the game makers in japan too. But I dont think its selfish, I think its just hard to understand how it is to have an earthquake like that. And these are the only persons I follow in japan, I dont have family or friends there.

    And Im also thinkin poor little dog (I saw a dog running on tv but there was no way to go and now hes dead D: it was soo sad)

  • md3283892

    It’s not all good news.
    Apparently, I read the creator of Pokemon died. :(

    • Paper Mario

      that is a rumor that is not true

  • MLink96

    I where worried about Nintendo! But it very sad for those who didn’t made it :(

  • bananaoomarang

    You must be happy you didn’t stay longer! I feel so sorry for all the people affected, I feel so helpless in situations like these, natural disasters suck.

  • 3dsfan3

    i feel so bad for japan. i mean like really even though the earthquake did do a chunck of damage, there is a part of japan where the is uranium that helps make electrisity i think. basically it heats up very fast but there are cooling systems and backup cooling systems to prevent it from heating to much but now the cooling and backup cooling systems went out. Now japan gotta worry about that. i hope japan doesnt get hurt by the uranium. my best wishes are with you!

    • 3dsfan3

      if the uranium doesnt cool down, it will basically go around 5000 degrees causing a meltdown.

    • 3dsfan3

      the uranium can cause a meltdown if it isnt cooled down

    • supersyrup97

      if there is a meltdown in Japan i really hope it doesn’t end up like Chernobyl…that was such a tragedy :(

  • Ap0c NL

    Well believe me that they will have huge profitloss because people have other things on their minds now. Rebuilding houses for example.

    I wish them all the best and ofcourse the same for Nintendo’s sales.

  • Johnn¥

    On the topic of the earthquake. I don’t know if anyone else has notice but in the past decade or so natural disasters like this have been getting more frequent and a lot worse. I’m seriously starting to think there’s something in this whole 2012 thing.

    • ethan

      oh dont be a crack pot. everything that has been happening over the past few years can be easily contributed to global warming, hurricanes caused by a heating of the atmosphere, heat is trapped in the atmosphere causing the earths crust to warm up and same with the mantle, creating a build up of pressure on the earths crust greatly increasing the chances of earthquakes and othe natural disasters, creating an extremely unstable climate.
      frankly i dont think there is anything to the 2012 theory, but over the next 100 years, yeah we’re all screwed.

      till then, i give my best wishes to all affected by this disaster.

    • supersyrup97

      don’t get yourself all worked up because 2012 is not going to happen :) it’s just a stupid thing that people made up because the Mayan calender ended on December 21, 2012…I mean they couldn’t keep adding days to the calender forever…we’ll all be able to enjoy all of our 3DSes for many years to come :)

  • Captain Falcon

    This makes me happy and teary for all the people who dies.. MANLY TEARS.

  • Kirbyfan

    Yes, All the 3DSes survived! :D Lets hope all NGPs were sunken into the bottom of the Ocean and sharks ate them |:]

    • Pokemonfaan

      Hope so!! XD
      Also, I´m sad for the people affected… T_T

    • anonomouse

      lol

    • Flip

      sharks would have diseases.

    • theguy87

      Those sharks would be scared for life. The NGP (Other wise known as Never Gonna Pay [for it]) is too big to swallow. A blue whale would have trouble swallowing it.

  • dsiderreck6

    my prayers go out to Japan. i would’ve DIED inside if Iwata and all the great minds of nintendo of Japan died.

  • zxride64

    BREAKING NEWS EXPLOSION IN NUCLEAR PLANT, things are getting worse in japan.

    • 3DS

      it dint affected nintedo. Thats good.

  • supersyrup97

    this is good news…but the fact that so many people in Japan were killed, missing, or injured just brings a frown to my face…i feel so bad for the people over there

  • RaiTheShyGuy

    Oh, man…I’m really happy Nintendo’s okay, but I’m so sad for all those other people…and I just remembered there’s a girl in my Taekwondo class visiting Japan right now, I really hope she’s okay D:
    My prayers are with you, Japan. I hope everything will turn out alright eventually.

    • AminalCrosser

      …is this RaiRaiGuy on hatena? the name set me off

  • Jbluna

    Not trying to be rude or anything but you guys do realize that japan is rightin the middle of the eurasian, pacific, and philippine tectonic plates

    • Joshua

      Yes it is but that’s not Japans fault. Don’t blame the victims for where they live.

  • Mr MC ClapYoHandz

    IRRELEVANT: “Should i spend $20 for Halo Reach new maps or wait a year for Conduit 3DS ? “

    • GrayWolf96

      Potentially thousands are dead and you’re worried about a game that doesn’t even have a release date or trailer? You certainly have your priorities in order.

    • Joshua

      Get both? Lol

  • theresa

    i am glad you guys got out well you did didn’t you say you thought about staying longer you guys are so lucky you missed the floods in Australia and then you leave just in time not to be buried alive or drown

  • LadidaRdam

    Off topic: Is that the Nintendo building? I thought it would look a little more, you know, awsome/extream….Or atleast a big glowing Vegas style sign to show how awsome Nintendo is.

  • harry uglow

    You’re lucky to have got out when you did, David!

  • cyberninja45

    Japan proved to be earthquake proof but i wonder what they can do to project themselves form tsunamis in the future

    • Revolutionary Point

      My uncle used to live in Japan, thank goodness that his family is safe. And I’m glad that Ninty survived. I hope that Japan recovers from this tragicness.

    • Jbluna

      Not to mention the nuclear power plant explosion

  • Flip

    The tsunami arrived at the other side of the world at 1cm. Little but it traveled 18.000 km!

  • 3DS

    here is something interesting http://www.thespeedgamers.com/

  • TomoNato

    They are OKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZYAEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

    • Kevin

      LOL.

  • hi

    Few thank god!!

  • Flip

    I’m missing Mask of Miracle gameplay…

    • Flip

      found it in David’s Youtube Channel (nintendo3ds)

  • Mr MC ClapYoHandz

    JAPAN’S NINTENDO WEBSITE IS UNDER MAINTENANCE! could this mean they’re updating it w/ the Jumbo AR cards???

    • Mr MC ClapYoHandz
    • mptje

      Which game should I buy along with the N3DS: Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars or Super Monkey Ball 3DS?

    • Mr MC ClapYoHandz

      @mptje. Star Wars. there’s lots of characters. u can even make your own. it’s an action/adventure w/ some puzzles. (monkey ball is just rolling around a “maze” trying to make it to the end)

    • Flip

      Critics (from Metacritic) prefers Super Monkey Ball in general. But it depends. Maybe they make a better or worst game. Maybe you won’t agree. Famitsu ranked Monkey Ball 32/40, the same as Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (japanese). The best Famitsu’s 3DS grade was 38/40 for Nintendogs + Cats. Try asking David but I think 3D effect should be good in Monkey Ball.

  • Flip

    Was that photo taken before or after the disaster?

  • Nick

    I’m really happy that Everyone at nintendo is alright and that I can still get my 3DS on Time ( I wouldn’t mind having to wait a few days/weeks/months anyway). However my thoughts go out to anyone who has been affected by this shocking disaster, sends chills down my spine. Let’s hope the worst is over. RIP to all who lost their lifes :(

  • Mario_C.

    siiiiiigh. Its so weird cuz on Tuesday we watched a video on natural disasters in my earth science class and it talked about a huge earthquake in Japan. My teacher said it happens a bout every 100 years and he said the earthquake was do anytime, and behold, the earthquake happened. -_-

  • http://fan718.yolasite.com David P.

    I am praying for the victims of the recent 8.9 earthquake, I also have a close friend who lives in japan. Thus i love the new 3ds idea, I have little concern about when the 3ds will come here to the u.s.a. I leave all of my concern for the quake victims. I give you all of my hope.

  • bobjones

    David! stop leaving places!! every time you leave a place something bad happens.
    You left Australia then it got hit with floods and cyclone the you leave Japan and it gets hit with a earthquake.
    Also people stop having a go at others for asking questions about games and the 3ds, yes what happened to japan is very sad but life goes on, the whole world cant just stop

  • james braselton

    hi there thats wrong with gamers on all sides nintendo vsony microsoft should gamers too help out poor japan recovery send in suplys and stuff you gamers are worried about caps or a word like first second or third no woundering gamers are getting very bad reputation for being non socaily woried about sencoring speach then lives lost in japan we need gamers too be good when very serious situations acure we need technolgy invtions inovations sheilds force fields replicators tron devices transporters thank goody no one hurt at nintendo or sony but japan lost 1,000 lives lost in other places

    • ethan

      we also need people to talk coherently.

      but from what i got from the last bit in your comment, you watch too much sci-fi, as we have a long way to go before we get force shields or transporters, if we ever get there at all.

      and from the rest of it, personaly when i heard about this my first thought was nintendo, but that doesnt make me a bad person, that makes me human, as humans are inherently selfish creatures, but we make up for it by trying to help people as much as we can, wheher by donating to charity (which i do every month) or by physically helping out.

  • james braselton

    hi there we neeed technokgy too save lives

  • Matthew

    Let’s get this sorted.

    1) The 3DS were made in China

    2) The 3DS’s would have been shipped by now

    3) Get some bloody perspective

  • Pingback: En Nintendo están bien | Entiende a Nintendo

  • Robert Doyle

    To be Honest, I don’t give a shit if the 3ds is not over in europe at the time of realease theres to many people affected, 10000 people feared dead. Theres a RISK THAT A NUCLEAR STATION will explode.This is a freaking huge situation,god bless japan

  • Brian Q

    I’m glad they’re OK ^_^

  • Sarah

    Praying for everyone in Japan. I mean who cares about the video games and all that stuff when there are people suffering right now. I would rather use my money to send over to help the people out then spend it on video game systems and stuff of that sort. How about it people lets use our money to help the people that have been hurt. I know nintendo would appricaite this.

  • ThatNintendoFangirl

    O.o; breathes a sigh of relief Why was I concerned about this, I dunno. :P But my prayers go out to the people affected by this.
    -TNFG