December 26
BOXING DAY TSUNAMIS DAY
The most powerful earthquake in 40 years triggered massive tsunamis (tidal waves) that slammed into villages and seaside resorts across southern and southeast Asia on this day in 2004. The death toll eventually was estimated to be some 170,000 people in twelve countries. The epicenter of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake was located 155 miles south-southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province on Sumatra, and six miles under the seabed of the Indian Ocean.
One tsunami struck Burma, Nicobar and Andaman Island, Thailand, the South East Coast of India, Maldives and Somalia. The devastating disaster left five million people without food, water or shelter – but in the decades following, a huge relief effort has helped the affected countries to slowly recover. Around $11.25billion (£9billion) was spent on rebuilding entire towns after they were torn apart by waves of up to 20 metres, which raced as far as 1.9 miles inland.One of the worst affected areas was the city of Banda Aceh, Sumatra. The region experienced more damage than any other area – but the city is almost unrecognisable today. A decade after it was ripped apart, the city had new housing, roads and a hospital.
In addition to the large number of locals killed, up to 9,000 foreign tourists (mostly Europeans) enjoying the peak holiday travel season were among the dead or missing, especially people from the Nordic countries. The European nation hardest hit was Sweden, with a death toll of 543. Germany was close behind with 539 reported victims.
The event is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake. For more chilling facts, see Boxing Day tsunami: How the disaster unfolded, from ABC, Australia. And for even more chills, see the film, The Impossible.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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