Fears grow for 24 Irish missing in south Asia

Fears are growing for the safety of 24 Irish people still unaccounted for following Sunday's tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been unable to make contact with the missing Irish nationals since huge tidal waves sparked by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake smashed into more than 10 countries from Malaysia to the east coast of Africa.

More than 126,000 people have been confirmed dead following the disaster, including thousands of foreigners who were holidaying in popular resorts in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and elsewhere.

Around 5,000 foreigners are still missing throughout the region.