Number of Irish people still unaccounted for in south Asia

A number of Irish people reportedly remain unaccounted for following the St Stephen’s Day tsunami disaster that has killed at least 68,000 people in southern Asia.

Reports this morning said the Department of Foreign Affairs had received more than 2,000 calls to its emergency helpline since the disaster and between 10 and 20 cases had yet to be resolved.

However, the department has been able to establish that the overwhelming majority of the 700 or so Irish people who were in the region are safe and well.

A significant proportion of those people are believed to have been in Thailand when the giant waves struck and reports yesterday said two Irish women were believed to be missing off the west coast of the country.

However, officials have refused to comment on individual cases.

The helpline for those concerned about family and friends in southern Asia is 01 408 2308.