Mourners Remember Boxing Day Tsunami Victims

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Mourners have gathered in Indonesia's Aceh province for a memorial to mark 10 years since the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Around 230,000 people died after a 9.3-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's western coast triggered a series of huge waves in the Indian Ocean.

The rising waters caused devastation across the region, striking countries as far apart as Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Somalia.

The wave swept the whole of the Indian Ocean's shoreline, also hitting the coasts of India, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Maldives and Bangladesh.

Around six hours after the start of the disaster the coasts of east Africa - Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya - were struck by the wave.

1/7

Gallery: Photos Taken In Indonesia After The Tsunami

Indonesian rescue workers remove a body from the fence of the Grand Mosque in the city of Banda Aceh

Refugees cover their noses from the stench of bodies

]]>

A solemn child survivor surveys the scene

]]>

A worried father tries to cool down his injured daughter

]]>

Hundreds of Acehnese line up for petrol

]]>

The tsunami caused widespread destruction to many coastal communities. Thousands of foreign holiday-makers were also killed.

The vast majority of Indonesia's 170,000 victims perished in Aceh province, among them tens of thousands of children.

Some 7,000 mourners gathered on Christmas Day in Banda Aceh for the first of several memorials.

Aceh governor Zaini Abdullah led the event at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.

He thanked Indonesians and the international community for their support in the aftermath of the tsunami.

"The tsunami had caused deep sorrow to Aceh residents from having lost their loved ones," he said.

"Sympathy from Indonesians and the international community has helped (Aceh) to recover."

In a statement released to mark a decade since the tsunami, Prime Minister David Cameron praised the "real resilience" of those who have rebuilt their lives.

He said the UK Government had provided almost £300m to support the reconstruction of affected areas.

Some 151 British nationals killed in the tsunami.

"Today we think of all those for whom Boxing Day is no longer a happy festive celebration but the day they lost a loved one in the Indian Ocean tsunami," he said.

"At this poignant time, my prayers are with all those remembering people who were caught up in the disaster, including the 151 British nationals who lost their lives.

"In the face of tragedy and adversity, hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated real resilience to rebuild their lives and millions more have shown extraordinary generosity to help those affected.

"So, as we remember all those who died, we should take comfort from the communities that are now on the mend - places like Banda Aceh where locals say it is now more prosperous, vibrant and peaceful than before."

Memorial services will also be held today in Thailand, where candlelit ceremonies are planned in the resort hubs of Phuket and Khao Lak.

Events are also planned for Sri Lanka, and in several European cities to remember foreign nationals who died.

In Indonesia, staff members at the German, Austrian and Swiss embassies will hold a minute's silence to remember the victims.

:: A special documentary Tsunami: Ten Years After The Wave can be seen on the Sky News Catch Up service.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Juara Pageone