Premier Alex Scott, yesterday expressed deep sadness and sympathy to the Bermuda residents and their families whose countries had been hit by Sunday's earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia and East Africa.

And he called on Bermudians to join the international community in sending relief to those countries.

"I am deeply saddened by the catastrophic events that have occurred in South East Asia and East Africa and the unbelievable loss of thousands of lives. This is on a scale that we in Bermuda and throughout the world can never imagine and our hearts and prayers go out to all the people throughout that hard-hit region that are suffering the loss of so many family members and all their possessions.

"The Government joins me in sending our condolences to the Governments of those countries."

Mr. Scott said he was aware that there were many Sri Lankan nationals and other Southeast Asians living in Bermuda, some from the hardest hit town of Galle.

"I am pleased to see that they are already mobilising to raise funds. I would ask Bermudians to reach out to them in a spirit of compassion and generosity to try to ease their grief. The most distressing part of this tragedy for many of them is not knowing if their relatives are dead or alive."

Bermuda, he said, had always risen to the occasion to help in disasters and he urged the public to contribute to the relief funds being sent up by local resident, Mohamed Rafique and the Red Cross.

"We must always remember that no country is immune to disaster, not even Bermuda. Having just celebrated the season of goodwill, I trust that we will now come together as part of the global human family to help our brothers and sisters in need."