Battered nations struggle as tsunami death toll continues to rise

RELIEF workers are continuing to pile up bodies along Asian coastlines, devastated by the giant waves that obliterated seaside towns and killed more than 23,700 people in nine countries.

Aid officials believe the tally will rise higher, with thousands still missing.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said there were no reports of Irish fatalities. His department officials are still liaising with Asian embassies to establish the safety of about 500 Irish people resident in the disaster zones.