Several world-famous Italian footballers were among the foreign tourists caught up in the earthquake that has devastated Asia, claiming at least 23,500 lives.

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi wrote in a text message from his mobile phone to Gazzetta dello Sport saying he was “isolated but OK for now,'' adding that he was without lights and water.

Milan captain Paolo Maldini and Juventus defender Gianluca Zambrotta managed to fly back together and arrived in Italy at 4 am local time yesterday. Juventus gave Zambrotta an extra day off before returning to practice today.

Two other Milan players – Alessandro Nesta and Cristian Brocchi – were also in the Maldives, the club's website reported.

Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli told his brother and teammate Alessandro Lucarelli that he witnessed a two metre high wave approaching the island where he and his family were. No players were reported injured.

At least 11 Italians were killed in the disaster, Italy's Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said yesterday. Fini said that the destruction and the lack of transport made it difficult to reach local airports and that evacuations would take longer than originally expected.

He said Italy was flying planes to Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Phuket to bring medical aid and help evacuate stranded Europeans. Special flights have already brought about 450 Italians back to Italy, Fini said. Around 5,000 Italians were in affected areas when the quake struck, he said.

Real Madrid's French star Zinedine Zidane was vacationing on Reunion Island off Madagascar, one of the lesser hit islands, the Gazzetta reported

according to AC Milan offical website, Paolo Maldini and Nesta is already on their flight back home while Pippo left stranded on the island.. and it is reported that the Italian striker was ferried to the atoll that contains the Maldiand conves capital, Male, where the Italian civil defence have organised an airlift. The Rossoneri striker managed to board on a flight and is expected to arrive at Malpensa airport tonight.

and condolence to the familes of 23,500 people that were killed in 10 countries in southern Asia and Africa after massive tsunami waves smashed coastlines Sunday morning. A breakdown of the toll so far:

_ Sri Lanka: The official toll is 12,520. A military spokesman says 10,520 died in government-controlled areas. Tamil rebels say 2,000 were killed in their areas. More than 1 million people were displaced from wrecked villages.

_ Indonesia: Government officials say about 4,991 people were killed. Aceh province on Sumatra island was near the quake's epicenter and was the hardest-hit part of the vast archipelago.

_ India: An estimated 4,000 people died, the finance minister said. The worst-hit area was Tamil Nadu state. Huge waves left southern beaches strewn with bodies and flipped-over boats and cars. A toll put out by the international Red Cross in Geneva said 6,000 were killed in India.
_ Thailand: The government said 918 persons died, 7,396 were injured and thousands were missing, mostly in idyllic southern islands packed with tourists from around the world. Among the dead was Poom Jensen, 21, the Thai-American grandson of King Bhumipol Adulyadej.

_ Malaysia: At least 60 people, including an unknown number of foreign tourists, were dead, according to official reports. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated temporarily from hotels and apartments after the Indonesian quake was felt throughout peninsular Malaysia.

_ Maldives: At least 43 people were confirmed dead and 51 were reported missing in this popular tourist destination.

_ Myanmar: Thirty-four deaths were reported, including 12 when waves destroyed a bridge in Kawthaung, fishing industry and nonprofit officials said. Myanmar's military-run regime rarely provides details of disasters in the country.

_ Somalia: In this African country nearly 3,000 miles from the quake's epicenter, a presidential spokesman said hundreds were killed and entire villages were wiped out. No exact death toll was available.

_ Seychelles: Three people killed.

_ Bangladesh: Tidal surges killed at least two children as a boat with about 15 tourists capsized.

and to think that i've spent 4 days sun-bathing and playing on the beach of Batu-Feringgi week before..

The truth is rarely pure and never simple

Oscar Wilde,
The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895, Act I