Helicopters with emergency supplies have finally landed on the remote Indonesian islands slammed by a tsunami. So far, 300 people have been killed. Meanwhile, the toll from a volcanic eruption in the country has risen to 30.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cut short a state visit to Vietnam to rush home to deal with the two disasters that struck Indonesia within 24 hours.

The first aerial surveys of the region hit by the three-meter-high tsunami revealed huge swaths of land underwater and the rubble of homes torn apart by the wave.

The casualty count is still rising two days after an undersea earthquake spawned the killer wave. Rescuers landed for the first time on the Mentawai island chain, which was closest to the epicenter and worst hit. Bad weather had earlier kept them away.

Vice President Boediono visited victims of the disaster on South Pagai, one of the small group of islands 280 kilometers to the northwest of Sumatra known collectively as the Mentawai.

He was seen singing with survivors to help raise their spirits.

Disaster officials say the first cargo plane loaded with 16 tons of relief materials arrived Wednesday afternoon.

Four helicopters also landed in Sikakap, a town on North Pagai island, which will be the center of relief operations.