Prime Minister Goran Persson told a news conference Thursday that the final Swedish death toll from the devastating tsunamis in southeastern Asia will be in the hundreds, and may even exceed 1,000.
A solemn Prime Minister said: "it's clear to everyone that the final death toll will be in the hundreds," adding that "in the worst case, it could exceed 1,000."
According to a government estimate, about 1,400 Swedish tourists are still missing in Thailand, but travel agencies warned the number of Swedes unaccounted for could be more than 3,000.
Forty-four Swedish deaths have been confirmed so far.
Meanwhile, Sweden will give 500 million kronor (US$75 million) in emergency aid to the regions struck by the massive quake and tidal waves around the Indian Ocean.
"The extent of the catastrophe's devastation is not yet known and we must be prepared to help in any way we can," Development Aid Minister Carin Jaemtin said in a statement, calling the aid an "initial" installment.
The amount of the Swedish aid is large -- by comparison the United States has sent or promised US$35 million in aid.
The Swedish money will be channeled through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and will primarily go to the United Nations, the International Red Cross and other Swedish humanitarian and emergency aid organizations.