Supermodel denies tsunami cash-in claims

Supermodel Petra Nemcova has denied reports she was paid US$1.5 million ($2.17 million) by an American magazine to pose for pictures while lying injured in a Thai hospital.

The Czech catwalk queen broke her pelvis and suffered internal injuries in the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia on Boxing Day.

Nemcova, who was flown home last week to a hospital in Prague, was snapped by US Weekly magazine in Thailand.

But the model insists she refused to be paid for the shots, instead asking the publication to donate all money raised from the photos to Unicef, which is helping children affected by the deadly wave.

Nemcova is recovering but is still bedridden and unable to walk. The 25-year-old survived by clinging onto a tree for hours after her Phuket cabin was destroyed and she was swept away by a wave.