Earthquake in Southeast Asia carried away about 23,7000 human lives, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement.

It said the calculation was based on preliminary data from national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies as well as from governments of the countries hit by the calamity.

The data coming from calamity-stricken countries says the tsunami resultant from the quake did the heaviest blow to Sri Lanka, where 12,000 people died.

India is mourning over 6,000 victims, Indonesia -- 4,730, Thailand -- 840, Malaysia -- 52, the Maldives -- 43, Myanmar -- twelve, and the Seyshelles -- three victims.

Red Cross spokesman Sean Bowen told correspondents the generalized figure also includes the victims in Somalia, the East-African state that sustained the strike of waves generated thousands of miles away in the opposite corner of the Indian Ocean.

Source: Itar-Tass