Petra Nemcova: 'Japan tragedy is agonising'

Petra Nemcova has expressed sympathy for those who have lost loved ones in the natural disasters which have resulted from last week's earthquake in Japan.

The Czech model's own life was touched by tragedy in 2004 when she and her fiancé Simon Atlee were caught in a tsunami while they vacationed in Thailand. She suffered a broken pelvis while Atlee was killed.

During an appearance on Piers Morgan Tonight, Nemcova professed that she learned from her own experience that large-scale catastrophes often bring out the best in humanity.

"The agony is so hard to imagine," she said.

The star continued: "One thing is true - [don't] give up. There are many stories of hope and loved ones being found… One thing which I have seen personally amongst the disasters is [that] there is so much unconditional love [with] people being willing to sacrifice their own lives for others."

The Dancing with the Stars competitor also explained that she understands the feelings of helplessness that the victims of the Japan earthquake must be feeling.

"The experience is just horrifying because you feel so powerless," Nemcova remarked. "You feel afraid for what's coming next. You feel worried for your loved ones… For me, I'd never heard the word 'tsunami' so I was not prepared."

This morning, it was reported that the Black Eyed Peas have dedicated the music video for their latest single 'Just Can't Get Enough' to the victims of the earthquake.