Three German cities, Hamburg, Bremen and Luebeck, have decided to join efforts in helping the reconstruction of the Indian Ocean tsunami-stricken countries, a city official said Tuesday.

According to Ole von Beust, major of Hamburg, the three cities will concentrate their efforts in Sri Lanka and details of their plan will be presented at a meeting between their majors and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Wednesday.

In his New Year Eve address, Schroeder urged German communities to form partnership with local governments of the tsunami-stricken countries in their reconstruction.

Meanwhile, the German foreign ministry said the number of Germans still missing after the tsunami disaster has further declined to 678.

Initially the foreign ministry said that well over 1,000 were missing. But since then hundreds of those feared missing have reported to police that they are safe.

A total of 60 Germans have been confirmed dead and about 300 injured Germans evacuated from the region, Deputy Foreign Minister Klaus Scharioth said Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2005)