Thousands are missing and millions are homeless following the Asia earthquake that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Readers of the BBC News website have been sending in their responses to appeals for news of missing persons.

Here are the responses received so far:

I posted a message regarding my friend Varsha Raj on the "India Missing persons" board. Varsha has arrived back in the UK. Thank you for your help!
L. Carpenter, England

Peter Lyth from Whitby is safe and well. Many good wishes to all who are still searching for loved ones.
Pam Wilson, Loftus, England

David Brookfield here, thanks for your concern mate but glad to say I'm fine. I left Ponicherry as planned only half an hour before the wave struck which makes me one of the lucky ones. God Bless xxx
david brookfield, Easton, Bristol, UK

My sister Sonia Wallace and Family returned home to England 1/4/05. All is well with them. My prayers still goes out to all others who are missing and for the people who live there. I pray for help to come quickly. God bless! Paulette Richards & Family Brooklyn, NY
Paulette Richards, Brooklyn, NY USA

Goa is on the other side of the country, and was not in the wave's path. Tsunami wouldn't have affected your family & friends in that part of India. Don't worry. Hope you hear from your loved ones soon.
Sachin, Bangalore, India

This is in response to the posting by Barbara Ginther, Sebastopol, USA about her friend Harvey. Barbara - I hope that you are able to locate your friend soon. I just wanted to let you know that both the place you mention - Puri (in the state of Orissa) and Jodhpur (in the state of Rajasthan) were safe from the tsunami. The States are in the North-West and Central Part of India. God willing your friend should be safe.
A Kaur, Basking Ridge NJ

I have just heard that friends thought missing in the Havelock Island in the Andamans are alive and there are thought to be no casualties on that particular island. Best wishes to all those still searching, keep positive.
Suzie Sands, Brighton, UK

Paul and Mel Larcombe thank fully emailed this morning safe sound.
Martin Price, Newmarket

Matthew Prosser and Ben Murray, unheard of since 26th December reported found by Andaman and Nicobar police notified in an email to me. We are absolutely delighted that they have been reported safe on Smith Island. It's been a long nine day wait so those still searching should not give up. Many thanks to all who helped and a special thank-you to Police HQ in Port Blair.
Bernard Prosser, Birmingham UK

For anybody concerned. It has been reported that Ditza Israeli has been found safe in the northern part of Kerala, Backel.
Ram, Kerala, India

To Roxane Harris of Newport. Sian Harrington and Matt are OK. I heard from them today.
Andy Russel, Southampton, UK

We have just spoken to a relative who has managed to contact Audrey who was thankfully in an unaffected area. Thank you.
Emma Davson, Oxford

Thank you Subin, Kerala, India. I do hope they are fine. Do you know whether there will be a site posted with missing persons in Kerala? I still haven't heard anything from my friends.
Mihai, Bucharest, Romania

Many thanks to Steve Gaw in Hoboken, USA, for his message. Les has phoned home today (Monday) and said he is well and there have been no casulaties on Havelock Island.
Chris Hattersley, Glossop, Derbyshire, UK

We have just spoken to a relative who has managed to contact audrey who was thankfully in an unaffected area. Thankyou
Emma Davson, Oxford

Maybe you should let Elizabeth Campbell, Oldham UK know that Goa is on the west coast of India and would not have been affected.
Hugh Sawyer, London

From south India only one foreigner has been reported missing. She is from Israel holding an American passport.
Bijoy, Cochin, Kerala

To Jyotsna Kunwar: If the wife's name is Manisha then I think they are ok.
Amin, Switzerland

Rubina Yeh & David Roche are both alive and well. Rubina returned to work today.
Ben Reynolds, New York, NY

Andrew and Laurie Perry have phoned from the Ashram in India to report that all are safe. Malaysian Airlines is flying as usual through Kuala Lumpur, so people can leave. Thank you so much for your help.
Lynne Irvine, Hilton Head, SC, USA

I am in Goa currently and was here on Boxing Day. We were unaffected by the tsunami, anyone in Goa during this time would not of been in any danger or hurt.
Michelle Coggon, Goa, India

To Angela Mitchell, in response to a request for information about Sheilagh Cardosa who is travelling alone on the Andaman Islands: We met a lady called Sheilagh on Havelock Island. She was from South Africa, travelling on an Irish passport and lives in London currently.

Does this sound like your Sheilagh? Even if it doesn't - please do not worry! Everyone on Havelock is fine. More details available at http://andaman-tsunami.blogspot.com/
Mark Rochefort, London, UK

This is for Felicia Frey, Freiburg, Germany - I work for the Italian Consulate General in Calcutta - my colleague has just returned from the Andaman islands and confirms that Julia Uebel is fine. Most people holidaying there have decided to stay on.
Linda Lizioli, Calcutta

To Monica Darmanin, Zabbar, Malta. The Krishnagiri district is in the interior of Tamil Nadu and it never experienced any effect of tsunami So you need not worry about the people staying there. It is a safe place and don't worry. God bless you.
Vasanth Mohan, Chennai, India

Sari Pulliainen has been found and she has returned safely back to Finland. My mother received an e-mail from the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Finland confirming this information.
Auri Watjus, Varkaus, Finland

To: Alessandro Antoniali: There's a comment from Susanna Siciliano from Viareggio, who met your brother. Try to contact them - check this page for India.
No name given

Lucy Cooper and her parents and boyfriend, Justin are back in the UK safe and sound, Have talked to Lucy's mum on the phone to confirm this. Please god let that be the case with as many people as possible.
Larry McCauley, Exeter UK

GHISLAIN, about whom I was concerned, is safe and sound at the Isha Ashram near Coimbatore, as he, fortunately, changed his plans about visiting Kanya Kumari. In fact, he's about to go out there to the ravaged regions to help out the needy! Thank you very much, BBC, for this wonderful service.
Antar Alok, Hydersbad, India

re: Marco Antoniali is safe and well. Blessing to everyone still waiting.
Alessandro Antoniali, Bergamo, Italy

We're pleased to say that our daughter, Jessamy, has been reported as all right on Havelock Island. We are looking forward to hearing her story in her own voice but are aware that communications are still difficult. Here's hoping many more are found safe.
Day and Jim Campbell, Glasgow, Scotland

Message for Goodwins & all those concerned about the SHUKLA FAMILY, from HILDENBOROUGH, KENT, Gill, Dipak, Samira & Molly are all safe & well, and now in Goa.
HILARY WELLAND, MATFIELD, KENT

Today Marco Antoniali has called from Andamane! We are full of happiness! We want give some hope to people eager to find out about the whereabouts of friends or relatives who are visiting those islands: please, read the following mail from Andamane. Good luck to everybody.
Dear Alessandro & Silvia,
Thanks for writing to us. As informed to Mr Simone also there hasn't been much damage in and around Port Blair, Havelock or Neil Island. So, if your brother is at any of these places, then he is definitely safe and well... there is no report of any death or injury of any tourist anywhere in the Andaman islands. Almost all the tourists who wanted to come back to Port Blair have been evacuated from Havelock, Neil Island and Little Andamans.

The daily ferry service between Port Blair, Neil Island & Havelock has also resumed. However, some tourists (including some of our own guests) have deliberatly decided to stay back in Havelock for some more time - since they want to complete their holiday.

There are also now 10 flights daily between Chennai, Port Blair and Calcutta - so that tourists are not stranded in Port Blair. Maybe, your brother is still in Havelock or Neil Island, enjoying his holiday - but he cannot contact you since most of the phone lines in Havelock and Neil island are still out of order and there is no internet/fax facility over there.

So, please don't worry - he is definitely safe & doing well! The moment he arrives/comes to Port Blair he should be calling you or sending you email. Best regards,
Koushik Neogy
Director
A&N Islands Tours & Travels
Alessandro Antoniali, Bergamo, Italy

Trevor Syrad has been found alive, but obviously traumatised. Many thanks to all who helped.
Jon Moon, Chertsey, Surrey

The person that I have been searching for, the Danish woman Jytte Ishvara Oervad, has been found. Thank you for your help. My best wishes are with you all.
Mette Thomsen, Malling, Denmark

Looking for Fiona Sutherland, she's from New Zealand but living in London. She was heading for Gokarna for Christmas. Does anybody know if the area was affected?
Arantxa Mateo, London, UK

Fiona Sutherland appeared safe and well today. Apparently the area of Gokarna was not affected. All the luck to all of you looking for your loved ones.
Arantxa Mateo, London, UK

Our friend Robert Grace is an Irish citizen living in Chennai, India. He recently worked for McKinsey. His parents were visiting him for the holiday. We cannot reach them and have heard nothing from them.
Barbara Parisi Sanchez, Burbank, California, USA

Found! Received word from our friend Robert Grace and his family. They were walking to church when it hit and joined the hundreds who safely ran away. Blessings to all that you have the same happy outcome!
Barbara Parisi Sanchez, Burbank, California, USA

We are looking for any news on Tara Patel, Ian Butler and their son Adam. They were last known to have been in Port Blair, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Jacky Lawrence, Warwick, UK

Ian Butler, Tara Patel and their son Adam are home and safe today 30/12/04. Thank you to the BBC for this site and we hope all others looking for loved ones have good news.
Mark Slater, Coventry

Hoping for news of my brother Les Skelton who is working as a diving instructor in Port Blair on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Chris Hattersley, Glossop, Derbyshire, UK

Chris Hattersley in Glossop. I've not spoken to Les directly but I phoned his mate Martin Barnes in Phuket yesterday morning and he says Les is OK.
Steve Gaw, Hoboken, USA

We are looking for Gilles Calzavara (French) missing in Andaman Islands. If you know anything about him please advise.
Geraldine,

Gilles Calzavara is well and alive!! He just called his mother this afternoon!! Thank you for help!!
Geraldine,

My last year's travel mate and friend Richard Mulholland ("woohar") from Southhampton was on the Andaman Islands, somewhere near Port Blair I guess. Has anybody heard of him?!
Bj�rn Kunze, Germany

Re: Richard Mulholland. In response to Bjorn Kunze's request, I heard yesterday that Richard has phoned home from the Andaman Islands to say that he is OK.
Lesley White, Fareham, England

SAFE: The family of Lisa Harbutt have heard that she is safe. The news is that although Havelock Island escaped the worst of the tsunami, communication is lacking. A newspaper site has reported no foreign fatalities from this island. I hope this is of comfort to some.
Lindsay, Carpenders Park, Watford, UK

Our daughter Lisa Harbutt, who is a teacher in London, is missing on Havelock island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If anyone knows where she is and her condition please let us know.
Steven and Barbara Harbutt, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, UK

My friend Lisa Harbutt is in the Andaman Islands. No news as yet, she was on Havelock Island. I am due to fly to India on Sunday to meet up with her. My prayers are for all those affected.
Tony Mulcahy, Richmond, UK

Peter & Pauline Barry (60) from London, on holiday in southern Kerala. We have not heard from them to know if they are safe!
Richard Barry, Penrhyndeudraeth, Wales

I posted a message seeking info of my cousin Pauline Barry and her husband Peter who were on holiday in Kerala. Thankfully they have phoned home and both are safe and well. I hope that everybody else whose name is currently on the missing list has a personal angel who is working as hard as Pauline and Peter's obviously was.
Gill Earl, Heathfield UK

Re: Peter & Pauline Barry, Peter rang our sister Dot to say they are both safe and well, thank God.
Richard Barry, Penrhyndeudraeth, Wales

Contacted Home all OK both families aware
Peter Barry, London

My daughter Emma Gillespie, and her boyfriend Dan Wannop, who were visiting the Andaman Islands phoned us this morning, thank God to let us know that they were fine. They were waiting to board a boat back to mainland India. Emma said that the media were unaware of the true events in the Andaman Islands and it wasn't as bad as portrayed. God Bless you if you are waiting for news of your loved ones, don't give up. It has been a long 4 day wait to hear this good news.
Sharon Lynch, Dumfries, Scotland

Any news of my brother, Gabriel Brunet, 32? Last heard from on Christmas Day. Believed to be working in an orphange in Tamil Nadu. We are all terribly worried.
Francisca Ruddock, Rugby, UK

Alive and well :-) Gabriel Brunet. My brother has made contact and is well. I hope that you all receive the same good news regarding your loved ones and it is a Happy New Year for as many as possible.
Francisca Ruddock, Rugby, UK

Our mother Stella is travelling in Tamil Nadu, we spoke on Christmas Day and she told us she was hoping to visit her school in Ooty - she has not been there for 60 years! We have had no word since and all her family and friends are getting anxious.
Ashton/Beatty/Rostant, Lewes, East Sussex

For Ashton/Beatty/Rostant, Lewes, East Sussex: I am from Tamilnadu, south India. Ooty is nearly 100 miles away from the east coast. So, your mother Stella must be safe. Do not worry.
Sanjeevi, Madras, India

Stella Beatty has been in contact and is OK. Thank you for all help and support. Thank you Deidre West, Bangalore for your supportive words. Blessings to everyone still waiting.
Ashton/Beatty/Rostant, Lewes, E Sussex

Sian and Matthew have contacted home and are safe and well, but still in India. I would urge any one still searching for loved ones not too give up hope. Our thanks goes to the BBC for their help, and our thoughts are with the families of those still missing.
Roxane Harris, Newport, South Wales

Response - friends are home safe and orphanage is safe
Mike and Judy, Olympia WA USA