Twenty years after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that claimed over 230,000 lives across the Indian Ocean region, thousands gathered in the capital of Indonesia’s Aceh province on Thursday to commemorate the tragedy.
The ceremony, held at the iconic Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh, brought survivors, families of victims and community members together in a poignant act of remembrance.
The event featured prayers, moments of silence, and the three-minute sounding of the tsunami early warning system sirens. Participants reflected on the disaster that destroyed entire communities in Aceh, the province hardest hit by the 2004 catastrophe.
Themed “Aceh Thanks the World,” the anniversary also highlighted the extraordinary global solidarity shown in the aftermath of the tsunami. International representatives joined the commemoration, honouring the support provided by countries and organizations in rebuilding the region.
“This is more than just remembering a tragedy,” said Zahrol Fajri, head of Aceh’s Sharia Office. “It’s about fostering collective awareness of disaster preparedness and celebrating the resilience and unity that defined our recovery.”
The 2004 tsunami, triggered by a 9.1-magnitude undersea earthquake, obliterated vast stretches of coastal Aceh, where over 170,000 people lost their lives. The disaster prompted an unprecedented international response, with billions of dollars in aid flowing into Indonesia for relief and reconstruction.
Zahrol said the commemoration reinforced the importance of disaster mitigation and sustainable development. “The global solidarity we witnessed 20 years ago remains a powerful lesson for preventing similar tragedies in the future.”
A woman prays during a visit to the Ulee Lheue mass cemetery, where the victims of 2004 tsunami and earthquake that struck Aceh are buried. Andri Munazir/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
