Ceremonies in Asia to remember victims of 2004 tsunami: 230,000 dead in 15 countries

Remember today the victims of the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami, the most devastating natural disaster of the 21st century, which hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries bordering the Indian Ocean hard

Memorial ceremonies were held today in several countries in Asia to remember the victims of the devastating December 26, 2004 tsunami. Shortly after midnight that day, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, causing a tsunami that killed nearly 230,000 people in 15 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The waves, which reached up to 30 meters high, swept away entire coastal communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and the Maldives.

In Indonesia, Aceh province was the hardest hit, with more than 160,000 deaths. Today, in the capital Banda Aceh, a siren sounded for three minutes at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, followed by Islamic prayers. Families and survivors visited mass graves to honor their loved ones, many of whom were never identified due to the devastation of the disaster.

In Sri Lanka, where more than 35,322 people lost their lives, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim religious ceremonies were also held in memory of the victims. A particularly heartfelt event was the remembrance of the victims of the Ocean Queen Express train disaster, which saw more than 1,000 passengers die when the train was swept away by waves.

In Thailand, vigils and official commemorations were held to remember the more than 5,000 dead, half of whom were foreign tourists. The tourist beaches of southern Thailand were among the most devastated areas.

The epicenter of the earthquake, located about 250 kilometers off the west coast of Sumatra, shook the ocean floor, lifting and causing huge portions of land to give way, generating the deadly waves that traveled across the Indian Ocean and also affected countries such as Somalia, the Maldives, Malaysia and even the Seychelles.

According to UNESCO data, deaths occurred in 15 countries, with the heaviest toll in Indonesia (167,540), Sri Lanka (35,322), India (16,269) and Thailand (8,212). More than 230,000 people lost their lives and millions more were displaced, forcing communities to rebuild not only their homes but also their lives.

The tragedy revealed the absence of a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean, leaving many people unprepared for the destructive force of the waves. Today, an advanced warning system has been implemented in the region to prevent such a disaster from striking without warning.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)