On the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, people across Aceh province in Indonesia gathered to remember the tragedy. Many wept as they placed flowers at mass graves, like the one in Ulee Lheue village, where over 14,000 unidentified victims are buried. Muhamad Amirudin, who lost two children and never found their bodies, expressed the enduring grief felt by many, stating, “We miss them and we still don’t know where they are. All we know is that every year we visit the mass grave.” He added a poignant reflection: “This life is only temporary, so we do our best to be useful to others.” His visit to the grave was a shared experience for hundreds who gathered to pray at the Baiturrahman Mosque in Banda Aceh, where sirens sounded for three minutes to mark the earthquake’s time.
The December 26, 2004, earthquake and subsequent tsunami claimed around 230,000 lives across a dozen countries, reaching as far as East Africa, and displacing 1.7 million people. Indonesia suffered the heaviest loss, with over 170,000 deaths. Despite the two decades that have passed, the grief remains palpable. However, Aceh has rebuilt its infrastructure, now more resilient than before, with early warning systems in place to provide crucial time for evacuation in the event of future tsunamis. This rebuilding was made possible by significant international aid.
Similar commemorations occurred in other affected countries. In Thailand, people gathered at a memorial in Ban Nam Khem, a village heavily impacted by the tsunami. Urai Sirisuk, who lost her four-year-old daughter, described her enduring pain and anger at the sea, yet her unwavering love compelled her to attend the memorial. In India, hundreds gathered at Marina beach in Chennai, pouring milk into the sea and offering prayers. In Sri Lanka, survivors and relatives laid flowers at a memorial for the nearly 2,000 passengers who perished when the Queen of the Sea train was struck by the wave. Anura Ranjith, still searching for his sister and niece who were on the train, expressed his lasting sorrow. Across Sri Lanka, a two-minute silence was observed. The collective mourning underscored the enduring impact of this catastrophic event, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of millions.