People in Indonesia's Aceh province gathered in prayer and visited mass graves to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history.
At the mass grave in Ulee Lheue village, where more than 14,000 unidentified tsunami victims are buried, many mourners openly wept. This site is one of several mass graves in Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province, which was severely impacted by the earthquake and tsunami along with the district of Aceh Besar.
The catastrophe was triggered by a powerful 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004, resulting in a tsunami that claimed approximately 230,000 lives across multiple countries, reaching as far as East Africa. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand were the four worst-affected nations, with Indonesia alone accounting for over 170,000 deaths.
Despite two decades having passed, the pain of loss still lingers for survivors who vividly recall their loved ones swept away by the massive waves that destroyed buildings along the Aceh coast, including Banda Aceh.
Significant efforts have been made to rebuild Aceh's infrastructure, making it more resilient than before the disaster. Coastal areas now have early warning systems in place to alert residents of potential tsunamis, offering crucial time for evacuation.
The reconstruction was made possible through the generous support of international donors and organizations, who provided substantial funds to aid in the region's recovery. Schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure that were decimated by the tsunami have been reconstructed with improved strength and durability, enhancing preparedness for future calamities.
In Thailand, over 8,000 lives were lost to the tsunami, with many individuals still missing. The nation continues to bear the emotional scars of the tragedy, with nearly 400 bodies remaining unidentified and unclaimed.
