December 27, 2004 -- The most powerful earthquake in 40 years struck southern Asia yesterday, triggering deadly, 20-foot tidal waves that smashed into coastal towns, fishing villages and seaside resorts in seven countries, killing more than 14,500 people.

Of the 14,566 dead, 4,491 were in Indonesia, 4,891 in Sri Lanka, 4,697 in India and 431 in Thailand. In addition, thousands were missing and millions were displaced. Officials said 44 people were killed in Malaysia, 10 in Myanmar and two in Bangladesh.

On Phi Phi, the tiny island made famous by Leo DiCaprio's movie "The Beach," 200 bungalows were swept out to sea.

The quake was the largest since 1964, when a 9.2 temblor hit Prince William Sound in Alaska, and the fourth largest since 1900.

A Canadian was among those killed in Sri Lanka, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Reynald Doiron said in Ottawa. At least a dozen Canadians were reported injured in Thailand, he said. No information was immediately available on their names or hometowns.

Embassy officials are trying to aid any Canadians stranded in hotels left without electricity, running water or communications. Doiron said it's not known how many Canadians were in the affected areas because registration with embassies by tourists is voluntary.

Checks were being done to determine the extent of injuries among known Canadian casualties, Doiron said, and it's likely more reports of injuries will come in.

"The final figures will go up, definitely," he said. "We hope it won't affect any more Canadians, but all Canadian embassies in the area have been alerted and are working on this."

Prime Minister Paul Martin pledged an "initial response of immediate emergency humanitarian assistance" which, he said, will be channelled through the Red Cross.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to those affected," said Martin, who is vacationing in Morocco.