Prayers and tears mark 20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people
Prayers and tears mark 20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people
The powerful 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggered a tsunami that killed around 230,000 people across a dozen countries.
Summary
Commemorations marked the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed around 230,000 people across 12 countries.
In Indonesia’s Aceh province, survivors prayed at mass graves, remembering the 170,000 victims lost there. Rebuilt infrastructure and early warning systems reflect recovery efforts supported by international donors.
Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka also held ceremonies, with survivors mourning deeply personal losses.
In Sri Lanka, memorials honored victims of the “Queen of the Sea” train disaster, while India’s Tamil Nadu residents performed traditional tributes.
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I was a youngling when this happened but rereading about this event 20 years later… we’ve seen nothing like it. I think the most interesting fact from this earthquake/tsunami is that the Indian Ocean’s volume permanently decreased as a result of sea floor movement, producing a rise in the global sea level by an estimated 0.1 mm.
This event also improved tsunami warning systems throughout the Indian Ocean and Indonesia, hopefully if an event like this happens there will be a lot more notice given.