Survivors Mark 20 Years Since World's Deadliest Tsunami with Ceremonies at Places Devastated by the 2004 Tragedy

Mar. 15, 2025

Tsunami memorial in Thailand.Photo:Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty

Mourners walk along the memorial plaques of tsunami victims while holding candles for the memorial ceremony at Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park on December 26, 2024 in Phang Nga, Thailand. The Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, devastated Thailand’s Andaman coast, resulting in over 8,000 deaths and significant destruction across six provinces. In the aftermath, Thailand’s recovery efforts were notable for their speed and effectiveness, with the government mobilizing resources quickly to address immediate humanitarian needs and initiate reconstruction, although challenges such as housing disputes and livelihood recovery have persisted in the longer term.

Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty

Thousands gathered in mourning on Thursday, Dec. 26, to mark two decades since the world’s largest tsunami.

On Dec. 26, 2004, in one of the worst natural disasters of the modern era, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake spurred catastrophic waves that brought destruction and devastation to at least 12 countries. It left some 230,000 people dead, and some 1.7 million more were displaced — hitting India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand the hardest.

Tsunami memorial in Thailand.Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty

Mourners place candles on the beach for the memorial ceremony at Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park on December 26, 2024 in Phang Nga, Thailand. The Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, devastated Thailand’s Andaman coast, resulting in over 8,000 deaths and significant destruction across six provinces. In the aftermath, Thailand’s recovery efforts were notable for their speed and effectiveness, with the government mobilizing resources quickly to address immediate humanitarian needs and initiate reconstruction, although challenges such as housing disputes and livelihood recovery have persisted in the longer term.

Louis Mullan and his younger brother, Theo, were only teenagers when the tsunami destroyed Khao Luk, Thailand, where their family was on vacation, killing their parents.

The boys flew back to Cornwall, England, a week after the storm as orphans. But when they arrived home, they received an unexpected message from a neighboring family of four offering to take them in,Louis told PEOPLEin November.

“She felt something was telling her that she had to do that,” Louis said of the mom that suggested she take them in. “If we didn’t have that, I think that’s when it would’ve been so much harder.”

He added, “The opportunities they’ve offered us and the love that they’ve given us has made us who we are.”

Mourners place candles on the beach for the memorial ceremony at Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park on December 26, 2024 in Phang Nga, Thailand. The Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, devastated Thailand’s Andaman coast, resulting in over 8,000 deaths and significant destruction across six provinces. In the aftermath, Thailand’s recovery efforts were notable for their speed and effectiveness, with the government mobilizing resources quickly to address immediate humanitarian needs and initiate reconstruction, although challenges such as housing disputes and livelihood recovery have persisted in the longer term

Though she didn’t have any formal medical training, she held the hands of the survivors as they waited for the rescue helicopters. Two decades later, she said she’s given up her career as a fashion designer to instead work for a cancer charity — learning from the tragedy, “I can be there for other people if I’m needed."

“Maybe it’s hard [for the younger generation] to understand," Soffie Modin, another survivor of the tsunami,told PEOPLE. Modin was also on vacation on the Phi Phi Islands and required eight months of hospital and home care to recover from an injury to her leg. While she survived, her then-fiancé’s brother was killed in the disaster.

A person walks along a wall of memorial plaques of tsunami victims at Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park on December 26, 2024 in Phang Nga, Thailand. The Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, devastated Thailand’s Andaman coast, resulting in over 8,000 deaths and significant destruction across six provinces. In the aftermath, Thailand’s recovery efforts were notable for their speed and effectiveness, with the government mobilizing resources quickly to address immediate humanitarian needs and initiate reconstruction, although challenges such as housing disputes and livelihood recovery have persisted in the longer term.

“It’s a little bit nice to just lift that lid again,” Modin told PEOPLE about her participation in the docuseries, noting the necessity for new generations to learn about the tragedy.

source: people.com

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