Indian Ocean tsunami 20 years on: world recalls devastation that killed nearly 250,000 people, including Irish victims

The tsunami, triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Indonesia, devastated coastal communities across 14 countries, affecting holiday resorts filled with tourists.

The massive waves reached nearly 30 meters high, traveling thousands of kilometers with immense force, causing destruction in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and beyond.

Over 60 countries mourned the loss, with significant casualties among tourists, including four Irish victims; Sweden and Germany experienced a tragic loss of life.

Indonesia faced the highest death toll, with almost 168,000 people lost to the calamity, overshadowing the numbers suffered by other affected nations.

Read at Irish Independent