Remembering the Indian Ocean tsunami: 20 years later, honoring 230,000 lives lost

In Banda Aceh, Indonesia, people have gathered to pray and visit mass graves to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, which is considered one of the most severe natural disasters in recent history.

At the mass grave in Ulee Lheue village, where over 14,000 tsunami victims remain unidentified and unclaimed, many visitors openly expressed their sorrow. Banda Aceh, the provincial capital, houses several mass graves and was among the regions most severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami, along with Aceh Besar district.

The massive 9.1-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004, triggered a tsunami that resulted in the deaths of approximately 230,000 individuals across twelve countries, spanning all the way to East Africa. The disaster left around 1.7 million people displaced, with the most significant impact felt in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.

More than 170,000 people died in Indonesia alone.

Even though 20 years have passed, the grief remains and survivors still remember their loved ones, lost to the giant waves that flattened buildings in most of the coastal areas of Aceh — all the way to the city of Banda Aceh.

The infrastructure in Aceh has been rebuilt and is now more resilient than it was before the tsunami struck. Early warning systems have been installed in coastal areas to alert residents of potential tsunamis, providing crucial time to seek safety.

The rebuilding efforts were made possible by the support of international donors and organizations, who contributed significant funds to help the region recover. Schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure that were destroyed by the disaster have been reconstructed with enhanced strength and durability, ensuring better preparedness for future challenges.

The tsunami also claimed the lives of over 8,000 people in Thailand, including many who remain missing, leaving a deep scar on the nation’s history. Nearly 400 bodies remain unidentified and unclaimed.

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Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.