Tsunami Disaster: Devastating Impact on the Indian Ocean Region
Massive Loss of Life and Displacement
In the aftermath of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, a staggering 130,000 people were confirmed dead according to Indonesia's National Disaster Relief Coordination Agency. The tragedy claimed the lives of tens of thousands more, leaving 37,063 individuals missing. Additionally, the United Nations estimated that an estimated 655,000 people were left homeless and sought refuge in scattered refugee camps across the affected province.
Country-Specific Fatalities
Indonesia suffered the highest number of fatalities, with 167,540 individuals losing their lives. Other countries severely affected included Sri Lanka (35,322 deaths), India (16,269 deaths), Thailand (8,212 deaths), and Somalia (289 deaths). The tsunami also resulted in multiple casualties in the Maldives (108 deaths), Malaysia (75 deaths), Myanmar (61 deaths), and Tanzania (13 deaths). Bangladesh, Seychelles, South Africa, and Yemen each reported two fatalities, while Kenya recorded one.
Tsunami's Epicenter and Magnitude
The devastating tsunami was triggered by a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2004, off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, at 3.316° N, 95.854° E, with a depth of 30 km. The colossal earthquake generated a series of powerful waves that traveled across the Indian Ocean, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.
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