2 Indians among Thai victims

Two Indians were among the 840 people killed after ten metre-high tsunamis swept through beach resorts in southern Thailand swallowing unsuspecting holidaymakers in its wake and leaving a trail of destruction and injuries.

Sangeeta Tusmar and Sumanam Sridhar died in the resort island of Phuket, which was battered by the tsunamis Sunday, Charge d'Affaires of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok T P Seetharam told PTI Monday.

While Sridhar was from Andhra Pradesh, details about Sangeeta Tusmar was not known.

The deadly tsunami also killed the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's grandson, Bhumi Poom Jenson, who was jetsking in Phuket.

The death toll has touched 840 with over 7,000

injured. According to reports the worst hit area was the Phang Nga province on the mainland coast of the Andaman Sea where 528 people were killed. The tsunami also destroyed hotels, bars, and restaurants along the beach in Phuket.

Other scenic islands of Phi Phi - made famous by the 2000 film 'The Beach' and Krabi, crammed with holidaygoers, were also ravaged by the waves.

Rescue operations were in full swing Monday with at least half a dozen ships, including a frigate, helicopters looking for survivors among the many islands dotting the area.

Diplomats from 28 countries, including India, arrived in Phuket to help nationals from their country.