Six Australians confirmed dead in tsunami disaster

SYDNEY - Six Australians have been confirmed dead so far in the tsunami disaster that swept southern Asia, the federal government said today.

"We regret to advise that six Australians have lost their lives," parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs and trade Bruce Billson told the Nine Network.

"Five Australian citizens and one permanent resident."

A DFAT spokesman said the dead included Paul Giardina, 16, from Melbourne and six-month-old Melina Heppell, from Western Australia, both killed in the Thai resort of Phuket.

Also killed were a three-year-old girl from NSW, a 54-year-old Queensland man and a 52-year-old Queensland man.

An 81-year-old woman, who was a permanent resident in Western Australia, also died.

The spokesman could not provide further details on where the victims died.

Their names may be released later today, he said.

The spokesman said 10 other Australians were still missing - six in Thailand, one in Sri Lanka and three in the Nicobar Islands of India.

"We have serious concerns for 10 other Australians reported as missing by people in the affected areas," the spokesman said.

"We've dispatched consular officials throughout the region to liaise with local authorities to try to locate these people.

"We're also calling the hospitals in areas where people may have been taken if they were injured."

The spokesman said at least 7000 Australians were still believed to be in the areas affected by the tsunamis, most of them in Thailand.

"Our consular officials, led by our acting ambassador, have set up an office in Phuket," he said.

"Australians seeking consular assistance in Phuket and surrounding islands should contact this office."

- AAP