Environment

Photo gallery: 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

The earthquake and tsunami claimed the lives of over 200,000 people, the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century

Isaac Hale
By Isaac Hale

On Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami with waves up to 100 feet high, killing an estimated 230,000 people.

Twenty years later, people gathered in prayer and visited mass graves in Indonesia’s Aceh province on Thursday to mark 20 years since the massive Indian Ocean tsunami hit the region in one of modern history’s worst natural disasters, according to The Associated Press.

Related
A major tsunami hit 20 years ago. Here’s how the world came together to help the victims

Many wept as they placed flowers at a mass grave in Ulee Lheue village, where more than 14,000 unidentified tsunami victims are buried. It is one of several mass graves in Banda Aceh, the capital of Indonesia’s northernmost province, which was one of the areas worst hit by a magnitude 9.1 earthquake and the massive tsunami it triggered.

A relative of a victim of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami participates in its 20th anniversary at Tsunami Memorial Park at Ban Nam Khem, Takuapa district of Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Wason Wanichakorn, Associated Press
A woman weeps during a prayer marking 20 years since the massive Indian Ocean tsunami, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Reza Saifullah, Associated Press
Relatives of tsunami victims offer floral tributes at a memorial built in memory of those who died during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as they mark the 20th anniversary in Peraliya, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Eranga Jayawardena, Associated Press
Tsunami survivor Kumudu Priyantha holds photographs of his three daughters and wife, who died during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, during its 20th anniversary in Peraliya, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Eranga Jayawardena, Associated Press
Buddhists light incense sticks at a mass grave of victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the disaster, in Aceh Besar, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Reza Saifullah, Associated Press
People look at photos of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the disaster, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Reza Saifullah, Associated Press
A relative of a victim of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami participates in its 20th anniversary at Ban Nam Khem, Takuapa district of Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Wason Wanichakorn, Associated Press
Relatives of victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hold a candlelight vigil as they participate on the 20th anniversary, at Tsunami Memorial Park at Ban Nam Khem, Takuapa district of Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Wason Wanichakorn, Associated Press
Relatives of victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hold a candlelight vigil as they participate in the 20th anniversary, at Tsunami Memorial Park at Ban Nam Khem, Takuapa district of Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Wason Wanichakorn, Associated Press
Relatives of victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hold a candlelight vigil as they participate on the 20th anniversary, at Tsunami Memorial Park at Ban Nam Khem, Takuapa district of Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Wason Wanichakorn, Associated Press
A woman adjusts a candle during a candlelight vigil on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, at Tsunami Memorial Park at Ban Nam Khem, Takuapa district of Phang Nga province, southern Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Wason Wanichakorn, Associated Press
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson gives a speech during a memorial service for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, at Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Christine Olsson, TT News Agency via the Associated Press
Thailand's ambassador Arunrung Phothong Humphreys, Indonesia's ambassador Kamapradipta Isnomo and Sri Lanka's ambassador Kapila Fonseka light candles during a memorial service for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, at Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. | Christine Olsson, TT News Agency via the Associated Press
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.
Join the Conversation