Tributes Held for 20th Anniversary of Tsunami

On December 26, 2024, Indonesia commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which was triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, resulting in over 230,000 deaths across a dozen countries, with Indonesia suffering the highest toll of more than 170,000. Memorials include visits to mass graves, particularly in Banda Aceh, where over 14,000 unidentified victims are buried. Survivors and victims' families gathered to remember their loved ones, reflecting on the immense grief that persists two decades later. The disaster also displaced around 1.7 million people, and international support has since helped rebuild resilient infrastructure and establish early warning systems in coastal areas. Notably, the tsunami claimed over 8,000 lives in Thailand, leaving many still unaccounted for. The anniversary also prompts global remembrance through simultaneous ceremonies across the worst-hit nations, including Sri Lanka and India.