Tsunamis Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 2021 GMT (0421 HKT) December 8, 2021

The 10th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed almost 250,000 people, will be remembered on December 26. Here, people walk through the streets of Tsunami-damaged Phi Phi Village on January 25, 2005, almost one month after the storm hit Ton Sai Bay in Kho Phi Phi, Thailand.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – The 10th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed almost 250,000 people, will be remembered on December 26. Here, people walk through the streets of Tsunami-damaged Phi Phi Village on January 25, 2005, almost one month after the storm hit Ton Sai Bay in Kho Phi Phi, Thailand.
Hide Caption
1 of 47
Ten years later, people ride bicycles and stroll along a path in Ton Sai Bay.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – Ten years later, people ride bicycles and stroll along a path in Ton Sai Bay.
Hide Caption
2 of 47
Travelers walk past devastation, carrying their luggage, as they head to the airport on December 27, 2004. Patong Beach was one of the worst hit provinces of Phuket, Thailand.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – Travelers walk past devastation, carrying their luggage, as they head to the airport on December 27, 2004. Patong Beach was one of the worst hit provinces of Phuket, Thailand.
Hide Caption
3 of 47
A view of Patong Beach 10 years later shows motorbikes, vans, cars and taxis traveling along a busy Patong road.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – A view of Patong Beach 10 years later shows motorbikes, vans, cars and taxis traveling along a busy Patong road.
Hide Caption
4 of 47
An aerial shot shows devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami to the west of Aceh on January 8, 2005, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka were the countries most affected by the December 26 earthquake-tsunami.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – An aerial shot shows devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami to the west of Aceh on January 8, 2005, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka were the countries most affected by the December 26 earthquake-tsunami.
Hide Caption
5 of 47
A recent aerial view of coastal Aceh shows the beach restored and trees regrown.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – A recent aerial view of coastal Aceh shows the beach restored and trees regrown.
Hide Caption
6 of 47
Bodies lay covered in the street waiting to be transported by boat from Phi Phi Village to Phuket and Krabi on December 28, 2004.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – Bodies lay covered in the street waiting to be transported by boat from Phi Phi Village to Phuket and Krabi on December 28, 2004.
Hide Caption
7 of 47
A construction worker walks where buildings are being erected on December 11, 2014, in Phi Phi Village, Ton Sai Bay, Thailand.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – A construction worker walks where buildings are being erected on December 11, 2014, in Phi Phi Village, Ton Sai Bay, Thailand.
Hide Caption
8 of 47
Rescue workers carry a body from among the debris on December 28, 2004.
Photos: 10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami
10 years since Indian Ocean tsunami – Rescue workers carry a body from among the debris on December 28, 2004.
Hide Caption
9 of 47