Boxing Day 2004 - the deadliest disaster in the 21st century

The massive earthquake that caused a massive tsunami across the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004 has become the deadliest and most devastating natural disaster of this century.

At 7:58 am (local time) on December 26, 2004 - 15 years ago - a magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, in northern Sumatra.The massive earthquake caused a giant tsunami across the Indian Ocean, killing more than 230,000 people across 14 countries.In the image, the satellite image shows the coastline in the southwestern city of Kalutara, Sri Lanka four hours after the earthquake and immediately after the impact of the tsunami.(Photo: AP).

An Acehn man, assisted by his friend, carried his injured daughter to higher ground through the flooded road after the tsunami struck.Waves up to 30 meters high hit the coast of Sumatra and the Nicobar Islands, 30 minutes after the tremor, before reaching Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.Several hours later, it reached the Maldives, Mauritius and the east coast of Africa.(Photo: AP).

Banda Aceh, West Sumatra, Indonesia, 1 km from the tsunami.Indonesia is the hardest hit because it is located near the center of the earthquake, with water flowing inland for miles.An estimated 167,000 people died in the rising waters, more than 500,000 people were homeless and 800 km of coastline were destroyed across the island nation.(Photo: Ministry of Defense).

A man walks past destroyed buildings on January 10, 2005 in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.Thousands of foreigners have also been caught up in disasters, many of whom have been scuba diving, swimming or on the beach when the waves hit.23 Australians died on vacation in Thailand and three more in Sri Lanka.Famous tourist beaches are quickly converted into temporary hospitals.(Photo: Getty).

The air cushion amphibious assault ship supplies supplies and supplies necessary for people in the city of Meulaboh on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, January 10, 2005.The tsunami caused an estimated $ 10 billion in countries including Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Somalia, Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Kenya.The Australian Government pledged $ 60 million initially in the first week of humanitarian assistance, then reached $ 69.9 million.(Photo: Getty).

A man looks over hundreds of missing notices at the Tsunami Relief and Coordination Center at Phuket City Hall.Located on the so-called Ring of Fire where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent earthquakes, Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, according to Channel News Asia.However, when the tsunami struck 15 years ago, most Indonesians have never heard of it.(Photo: Getty).

The British tourists consoled each other at Phuket City Hall, where hundreds of tourists lost loved ones and friends waiting for help at the temporary rescue center.Many people fled their homes when the earthquake rocked their province on the Sunday morning just before 8am.A few minutes later, most return to their home with the assumption that it is safe.A few minutes later, people started to panic when they realized the water was rising.They started to run but it was too late for many of them.(Photo: Getty).

The two survived the tsunami from West of Aceh on a US Navy Seahawk helicopter to Banda Aceh, January 8, 2005.Since 2004, a number of dykes have been erected in Aceh to prevent disaster.The government has built evacuation routes, especially in coastal areas.They have also established local tsunami early warning systems and installed sensors in the province.(Photo: Getty).

A boy scavenges in the rubble of houses destroyed by a tsunami on January 18, 2005, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.There are currently 170 sensors across Indonesia.The government also holds regular drills with the participation of all schools, including kindergartens.(Photo: Getty).

Family and friends check for missing notices in Phuket, Thailand after the tsunami disaster.While Aceh people are now more aware of the dangers of a tsunami, local authorities say people are not ready to deal with another disaster.Therefore, in mid-December, the national disaster agency launched the KATANA program on disaster resistance for families.(Photo: Getty).

A child victim of a tsunami in a refugee camp, January 2005 in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.Disaster agencies, together with various government agencies, will help families become aware of disaster risks and strengthen their disaster knowledge.It has also committed to helping people save themselves, their families, neighbors and others."If only the people of Aceh knew and understood the risks (of an earthquake and tsunami) and how to respond, the number of victims would not be so great," said the head of the national disaster agency, Doni Monardo. , talking about the 2004 earthquake and tsunami. (Image: Getty).