20th Anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Prayers in Remembrance of 230,000 Lives Lost

20th Anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Prayers in Remembrance of 230,000 Lives Lost

Commemorative events were held across South Asia and Southeast Asia in remembrance of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred 20 years ago. On December 26, 2004, this natural disaster claimed nearly 230,000 lives.

The tsunami, triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Aceh Province in Indonesia, struck the coasts of Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and nine other countries, with waves reaching up to 17.4 meters (57 feet) in height.

Commemoration Ceremonies: On Thursday, thousands of people visited mass graves, lit candles, and comforted one another. Many of the bodies of the victims could not be identified and were later buried in mass graves.

Grief and Remembrance: At the commemoration, survivors shared the pain of losing their loved ones and prayed for the souls of the deceased. These remembrances were not only a tribute to the victims but also a warning for the future.

Global Remembrance: Formal memorial services were organized in various countries, including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Special prayers were held in the mosques of Aceh Province, Indonesia, where the devastating memory of the tsunami still remains vivid.

The 2004 tsunami stands as one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in modern history, highlighting the need for global humanitarian assistance and the importance of disaster management.