Aceh Commemorates Two Decades Since the 2004 Tsunami
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Jakarta, Dec 26 (NationPress) The people of Indonesia's Aceh province, located at the northern end of Sumatra Island, gathered on Thursday to honor their relatives, family, and friends who tragically lost their lives in the devastating tsunami that struck on December 26, 2004.
The siren's mournful sound in Takengon town marked this poignant remembrance. "Let us come together in prayer, reflecting on our beloved brothers and sisters who fell victim to the tsunami two decades ago," remarked Safrizal, the acting Governor of Aceh.
He emphasized that the Aceh tsunami siren, which is activated every December 26 during the memorial, serves as a vital reminder to enhance public consciousness regarding disaster preparedness.
In the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, individuals gathered at mass graves, laid flowers, and prayed for those they lost to the colossal waves that devastated the coastal regions, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"I believe that my family members, who have never been found, are resting here. I hope they are finally at peace," expressed Maya, a local resident visiting the mass graves in Ulee Lheue village.
The catastrophic event affected Aceh and 13 other nations along the Indian Ocean.
The 20th anniversary of the Aceh tsunami was commemorated under the theme "Aceh Thanks the World" with the slogan "Moving on from the Past, Towards the Future of Aceh with Sharia Law."
This tsunami was one of the most catastrophic natural disasters recorded, resulting in an estimated 228,000 fatalities across 15 countries, with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and Thailand facing extensive damage. Indonesian authorities estimated that the death toll in the country surpassed 200,000, particularly in northern Sumatra’s Aceh province. Thousands were reported dead or missing in Sri Lanka and India, notably among the Indian Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
