On Thursday, communities across Asia and beyond gathered in prayer and solemn remembrance to mark 20 years since the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated lives and landscapes, claiming around 230,000 lives in one of modern history's deadliest natural disasters.

In Indonesia’s Aceh province, survivors visited mass graves to honor the victims. Ulee Lheue village, where more than 14,000 unidentified victims are buried, saw many grieving families laying flowers. Banda Aceh, the province's capital, was one of the worst-hit areas when a magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered the tsunami.

“We miss them and we still don’t know where they are,” said Muhamad Amirudin, who lost two children in the disaster. "This life is only temporary, so we do our best to be useful to others.”

Sirens echoed across Banda Aceh for three minutes to mark the time of the earthquake, while hundreds gathered at the Baiturrahman Mosque to pray.

In Aceh, efforts to rebuild have led to stronger infrastructure, with international donors contributing to the restoration of schools, hospitals, and essential facilities. Early warning systems have also been implemented to protect coastal communities.

In Thailand, mourners gathered in Ban Nam Khem, a fishing village in Phang Nga province that suffered the heaviest losses in the country, with over 8,000 fatalities. Nearly 400 bodies remain unclaimed.

Participants at the village’s tsunami memorial shed tears and laid flowers during a multi-faith ceremony. Urai Sirisuk, who lost her 4-year-old daughter, expressed her enduring grief.

“I still hear her voice in my ears... I have to be here for my child,” she said.
In India, hundreds gathered at Marina Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to honor the 10,749 people who died in the tsunami, including nearly 7,000 from Tamil Nadu alone. Traditional rituals, including pouring milk into the sea, were performed to honor the deceased.

“It has been 20 years since the tsunami,” said 69-year-old Sadayammal, who came to pay her respects.

In Sri Lanka, survivors and families gathered in Peraliya to remember nearly 2,000 passengers who died when the Queen of the Sea train was struck by the tsunami. Nationwide, more than 35,000 people lost their lives.

Anura Ranjith, who lost his sister and niece in the disaster, still grieves their absence. "I looked for them everywhere for years… Their loss is a great sorrow and pain for me," he said.

The country observed two minutes of silence on Thursday to honor the victims.

A Global Tragedy, 20 Years On
The Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, displaced 1.7 million people across 12 countries. While the scars remain, communities have rebuilt with resilience and hope, commemorating the day as a testament to human endurance and unity.