Indonesia’s Aceh province was the scene of poignant commemorations on Thursday as people gathered to pray and pay their respects to the victims of the tsunami that struck the region 20 years ago. The natural disaster, which struck on December 26, 2004, remains one of the most devastating in modern history, leaving a lasting mark on the lives of the region’s residents.
Tears flowed as flowers were laid at a mass grave in the village of Ulee Lheue, where more than 14,000 tsunami victims who have never been identified are buried. The site, among other mass graves in Banda Aceh, the capital of Indonesia’s northernmost province, was hit hard by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Muhamad Amirudin, who lost two of his children 20 years ago and never found their bodies, expressed his grief and desire to feel useful to others despite the immense pain that still haunts him today. Hundreds of people gathered to pray at the Baiturrahman Mosque in the heart of Banda Aceh, where sirens sounded for three minutes to mark the exact time of the earthquake.
Indonesia was hit hard by the tragedy, with more than 170,000 people dying in that country alone. Today, despite the passage of time, survivors continue to mourn their lost loved ones. However, significant progress has been made in rebuilding infrastructure and setting up tsunami early warning systems.
Also in Thailand, a memorial ceremony was held in the fishing village of Ban Nam Khem, where more than 8,000 people lost their lives. Community members came together to mourn their loved ones and support each other, illustrating the deep scar that this disaster has left on the country’s history.
In India and Sri Lanka, commemorations and tributes also took place, recalling the magnitude of the tragedy that struck these two countries two decades ago. It is crucial to remember these tragic events to never forget the lives that were lost and to honour the strength and resilience of the survivors who had to rebuild their lives after losing everything.
In these moments of reflection and remembrance, it is important to remember that solidarity and mutual aid are essential to overcome the most difficult challenges. We pay tribute to the victims of the tsunami and their families, hoping that their memory will live on in our hearts for generations to come.