One observation I have made in this though is that, going by the picture that was removed (and forgetting any opinions formed by viewing the 2 pictures side by side), there could be more sensitivity over the idea of people taking property that wasn't thiers being described as "finding" than as "looting".

On that all I can say is call it what you will, there is no doubt in my mind that, if faced with similar circumstances, I'd have done the same if I could and I suspect most people would.