Nordic tourist death toll climbs
Scandinavian countries fear hundreds of their citizens died in Thailand as hopes fade for more than 6,000 people still missing after the tsunami there.
The Swedish death toll could be more than 1,000, Sweden's Prime Minister Goran Persson said on Thursday.
At least half of those missing are Western tourists - many of them from the Nordic countries and Germany.
The missing include some 1,500 Swedes, 1,000 Germans, 600 Italians, 464 Norwegians, 219 Danes and 200 Finns.
The victims were at resorts along Thailand's south-western coast and on outlying islands, with Phuket and Khao Lak especially hard hit by the devastating waves.
Sweden's prime minister said 44 Swedes had been confirmed dead so far.
"It's clear to everyone that the final death toll will be in the hundreds. In the worst case, it could exceed 1,000," Mr Persson told reporters in Stockholm.
Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told citizens to expect the German death toll to rise "well into the three-figure range". Officially Germany has confirmed 33 dead so far.
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said several hundred French were also unaccounted for. France has confirmed at least 22 of its nationals died.
The UK government has confirmed 27 British dead.
European countries have pledged millions of dollars in aid and planes carrying experts and supplies have been flown to the region.
Among the nations donating money are Spain, sending 50m euros ($68m or £35m), and the UK, sending 21m euros ($29m or £21m).
(Meanwhile that fucker Bush thought he could get away with a token 15 million - he is the most embarassing president EVAR)