The US disaster teams have rushed to the Asian countries hit by a massive earthquake and tsunamis while the US government is sending emergency aid package to the disaster affected countries, officials said here Monday.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said that eight Americans died in the natural disaster, and that embassy officials were trying to locate other American citizens who have not been heard of since Sunday's quake.

"We will do everything we can to immediately help," Powell said.

Washington has sent 100,000 US dollars each to India, Indonesia,the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and planned to donate four million dollars later Monday to help Red Cross disaster efforts, Powell said.

The initial US aid package being crafted was expected to reach15 million dollars, officials said. Powell cautioned that was a "quick infusion" and that the administration was prepared to help with long-term rebuilding.

US Agency for International Development groups have rushed to Thailand and Indonesia to make assessments and the team in Indonesia will go on to Sri Lanka, the officials said.

In addition, the US Navy has sent three P-3 surveillance aircraft from Kadena air base on the Japanese island of Okinawa toUtaphao, Thailand, to conduct survey operations, including a possible role in search-and-rescue efforts.