Lord Richard Attenborough, producer of the feature film 'Gandhi' has lost three members of his immediate family including his granddaughter in the tidal wave disaster in Phuket in Thailand, his family sources said on Wednesday.

"Lord Attenborough and his wife, Sheila, have lost three members of their immediate family in the tidal wave disaster that hit the beaches of Thailand on Boxing Day morning," a statement from Diana Hawkins, a colleague and family friend of the actor-director said.

Lord Attenborough's family was holidaying in Phuket. His granddaughter Lucy was in the resort with her 17-year-old sister Alice, brother Sam, her mother Jane, father Michael and her mother-in-law Jane Holland when the tragedy struck.

"The Attenboroughs' granddaughter, 14-year-old Lucy, died at the scene. Another granddaughter, Alice, 17, is now being treated in hospital. Their elder daughter, Jane, is missing, as is her mother-in-law, Jane Holland."

"Two members of the family group survived unscathed. They are the Attenboroughs' son-in-law, Michael Holland, and
eldest grandson, Sam. Lord Attenborough, his wife, other daughter, Charlotte, and son, Michael, together with their families ask that the news media respect their need for privacy at this terrible time. None has anything further to add," the statement said.

81-year-old Attenborough along with his wife returned here last night from Thailand.