With some 1,500 Swedes remaining missing in Thailand, Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds has called the disaster in Asia a "national trauma" for Sweden, Radio Sweden reported on Tuesday.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Freivalds said that around 1, 500 Swedes remain missing after the Asian tsunami, adding that "we fear that many of them will not be found."
Foreign ministry State Secretary Hans Dahlgren said six Swedes were confirmed dead. "There is reason to fear that the final number of (Swedish) deaths will be very high," he added.
Most of the Swedes affected by Sunday's devastating tsunami were tourists in Thailand.
Approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Swedes are estimated to have been in the region affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Sweden sent two communications specialists to help UN relief efforts in Sri Lanka, and said it was sending tents and communications equipment to the Maldives.
The Swedish Red Cross said it would contribute US $750,000 to the global appeal.
According to Swedish Rescue Services Agency, the first shipment of aid to the worst stricken areas of Sri Lanka has arrived in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. The aircraft left Sweden Monday evening with some 40 tons of tents and blankets.