2004 Tsunami Commemorations 10 years ago a tsunami struck the west coasts of Sumatra, Indonesia and coastal communities across the Indian Ocean, like India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Malaysia, Somalia, Tanzania, Seychelles, Bangladesh and Kenya. It was triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake that left an estimated 230,000 people dead. Today thousands have gathered to pay tribute to those who died. The main commemorations ceremonies are planned in Thailand and Indonesia, the places where the tsunami affected the most. Indonesia Thousands have gathered in Banda Aceh, Sumatra for a memorial service. A Muslim prayer was held at the 19th century Baiturrahmam Mosque, one of the few buildings that remained standing. A woman at the service said “The prayer session makes us remember the tsunami and be thankful that we’re safe. The tsunami destroyed the city, but it also blesses us. God has brought love among the people and Aceh received so much help from the outside world because of the disaster”. The mosque’s Great Imam, Azman Ismail, says that the tsunami taught Aceh a valuable lesson. The region had been suffering a struggle between rebels and the Indonesian military. “Before the tsunami, there was a war, a conflict, but after the tsunami no one fought each other. People have lived in harmony and peace through until this day”, he stated. Thailand 5,00o people were killed because of the tsunami. 4,000 of them lost their lives at Khao Lak, north of Phuket. Three massive waves hit the coast. Local man Anukul Charoenkul filmed the video of the first wave hitting Khao Lak, north of Phuket. This video was seen worldwide, it shows a lone man staring down the wave. Local commemorations will last for three days, with foreign dignitaries taking part in a remembrance service and wreath laying ceremony. There will also be a minute of silence. India In India, Timul Nadu state was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Ten years later residents of fishing communities are still struggling with life, despite the fact that the government has pumped billions of dollars into reconstruction. Many residents are reluctant to leave; according to fisherman Dilli “We can’t leave this place even after this. This is were we belong”. After 10 years, the towns were once laid destruction have reborn. Time and humanity have changed these areas, as shown in the pictures of the link below. abc.net.au/news/2014-12-24/boxing-day-tsunami-then-now-photos/5875900 ~Alexandria
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 22:18:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015