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Thousands of Europeans stopped what they were doing at midday on Wednesday to remember victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

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Many Swedish workers observed the three minute silence. Their country was among the hardest hit European countries, with 52 dead and more than 2,000 missing.

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In many European cities public transport stopped, flags were flown at half mast and radio and television stations paused programmes for the midday tribute.

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The Frankfurt stock exchange also paid its respects by stopping business.

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European countries have thousands of citizens on the lists of dead and missing. In total, about 140,000 people have been confirmed dead in a dozen countries around the Indian Ocean.

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The disaster has prompted a massive response from the public, who in some countries have more than matched government offers of money.

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The three minute silence was observed in places ranging from the Monaco palace to Norwegian oil platforms.

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But as the clear-up continues in the affected countries and more bodies are recovered or identified, Europe is bracing itself for more bad news.