20 Years On: World Remembers Indian Ocean Tsunami Victims

Memorials and prayers held across affected nations honor the 230,000 lives lost in one of history's deadliest natural disasters.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake near Sumatra, killed around 230,000 people across 14 countries and displaced 1.7 million others.
Indonesia, the hardest-hit nation, held mass prayers and ceremonies in Aceh province, where over 170,000 people perished and thousands remain unidentified in mass graves.
In Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka, survivors and relatives gathered at memorials, offering prayers and sharing memories of loved ones lost to the devastating waves.
Reconstruction efforts over the past two decades have included improved infrastructure and early warning systems, supported by international aid and collaboration.
Despite progress, survivors continue to grapple with trauma, while scientists warn that climate change may increase the frequency of extreme weather events in the region.