Thursday, December 30 2004 14:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lalbagh (WB): Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (Dec 30, 2004) said 7000 people are still traceless in the Andamans and Nicobar Islands and the coastal south India following Sunday's killer tsunami, which has claimed 6974 lives.

Of those missing, 3000 belong to mainland areas while the rest 4000 to the worst hit Car Nicobar islands, he told the media in Lalbagh.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for relief measures in the affected areas which would be spent for re-construction of the houses of fishermen, who have been hit most in the southern States, Mukherjee, who is in WB in connection with the foundation stone laying of Azimgan-Jiaganj railway link in Murshidabad district, which falls in his parliamentary constituency, said.

Besides, the Indian Navy and Air force personnel with their warships, naval ships and helicopters were engaged in round the clock rescue and relief operations in those areas.

The Government had already sent 1000 MT provisions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to provide relief to them, Mukherjee added.