Tsunami toll mounts to 1,30,000

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Last updated on: December 31, 2004 16:03 IST

It has been confirmed that almost 1,30,000 people died so far in Asia and East Africa in the tsunamis that struck the region last Sunday.

Indonesia has borne the brunt, with an official putting the toll at around 80,000.

In Sri Lanka 30,000 were confirmed killed by the tidal waves.

In Thailand 4,510 people have been killed, including 2,230 foreigners.

In the worst-hit province of Phang Nga almost 3,700 people were confirmed killed, of whom more than 2,000 foreigners, the provincial governor said.

The interior ministry said 6,121 were missing nationwide. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said 80 per cent of the missing are presumed dead.

In Myanmar at least 90 people were killed, according to the United Nations.

At least 75 people were killed and another 42 were confirmed missing in the tourist paradise of the Maldives, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said.

Sixty-six people died in Malaysia, most of them in Penang.

In Bangladesh a father and child were killed after a tourist boat capsized in large waves, officials said.

The toll in India is expected to be more than 13,000.

Thousands are still missing in these countries as rescue and relief measures continue.

More than 3000 have died in the Andamans alone; unofficials reports, however, put the toll at 15,000. 

More than 7,000 are believed to have died in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry alone, official sources have said.

The United Nations has said that the tragedy would require the biggest aid mobilisation in recent history.

For information about the victims, the government has set up hotlines all over Asia.

The government and private bodies in India and abroad have also set up funds for those willing to contribute aid for the victims.
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