On the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, survivors and families across Southeast and South Asia gathered to honour the 230,000 victims. Memorials were held in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, where emotional tributes and prayers were offered.
Twenty years ago, on December 26, a magnitude 9.15 earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean triggered one of the deadliest tsunamis in recorded history.
This disaster claimed over 226,000 lives, left nearly 2 million people homeless, and caused catastrophic devastation across 14 countries. Entire communities were wiped off the map, with over 50,000 bodies never recovered.
Indonesia was the hardest hit, with 166,000 people dead or missing. In Banda Aceh, the devastation was overwhelming, but extensive reconstruction efforts have since rebuilt a new city atop the ruins. Sri Lanka and Thailand also suffered catastrophic losses, while fatalities were reported as far away as Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Waves towering up to 17.4 meters obliterated coastlines, with destruction extending as far as the east coast of Africa, affecting nations like Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.
Across the affected region, survivors, families, and communities gathered at memorial sites to honor the lives lost. Many visitors, including relatives of the lost, laid flowers and paid their respects in solemn silence.
At the time, no formal warning system existed, leaving victims with no chance to escape the approaching waves. Today, a $400 million early-warning system connects 28 countries. It includes 101 sea-level gauges, 148 seismometers, and nine buoys, designed to mitigate future risks.
Despite these efforts, concerns about the system’s maintenance and effectiveness remain. Experts caution that complacency and preparedness gaps still leave millions vulnerable to another catastrophic wave.
Sri Lanka reported nearly 50,000 dengue cases in 2024, with 24 fatalities and a case fatality rate of 0.05%. The Western Province accounted for 44.1% of cases. In January 2025 alone, 2,045 cases have already been recorded, highlighting ongoing public health challenges.
The IMF has approved the third review of Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout, releasing $333 million in funding. While signs of economic recovery emerge, the country still faces critical debt restructuring challenges to move forward with the programme.
Harini Amarasuriya was reappointed as Sri Lanka's prime minister by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake also appointed Vijitha Herath as foreign minister after his coalition won 159 seats in the general election. Despite strong, concerns remain over implementing IMF-backed reform.
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Newly released air traffic control (ATC) audio recordings provide an eerie and detailed account of the tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025.
Red Cross buses carrying 110 Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday (January 30) as part of a phased agreement that ended over 15 months of conflict.
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Tragedy struck near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as a regional jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter, claiming 67 lives. The harrowing incident echoes the infamous 1982 Air Florida crash, reigniting fears over aviation safety.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) rebel coalition, has vowed to maintain control of Goma and continue their march towards the capital, Kinshasa, after capturing the strategic eastern city on January 30.
President Trump's pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing, particularly over his views on the 2020 election.
Newly released air traffic control (ATC) audio recordings provide an eerie and detailed account of the tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025.
Red Cross buses carrying 110 Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday (January 30) as part of a phased agreement that ended over 15 months of conflict.
Tragedy struck near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as a regional jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter, claiming 67 lives. The harrowing incident echoes the infamous 1982 Air Florida crash, reigniting fears over aviation safety.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC) rebel coalition, has vowed to maintain control of Goma and continue their march towards the capital, Kinshasa, after capturing the strategic eastern city on January 30.
President Trump's pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing, particularly over his views on the 2020 election.
Newly released air traffic control (ATC) audio recordings provide an eerie and detailed account of the tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025.
Red Cross buses carrying 110 Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday (January 30) as part of a phased agreement that ended over 15 months of conflict.
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