10 years of earthquake and tsunami disaster: Rebirth on the land of death

• December 26, 2014 14:20

In the lands wiped out by the tsunami 10 years ago, life is gradually reviving despite many difficulties.

On December 26, survivors of the 2004 tsunami and relatives of the victims gathered at locations along the Indian Ocean coast to pray and hold memorial services to mark the 10th anniversary of the horrific tsunami that claimed the lives of 226,000 people and still leaves an indelible mark on the areas it passed through.

Exactly 10 years ago, on December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake tore through the Indian Ocean floor and created a tsunami as high as 17.4 meters that hit more than 10 countries and wiped out coastal communities in just seconds.

Ten years on, survivors in some areas affected by the tsunami have yet to fully restore their normal lives. Residents complain that the rebuilt buildings are of poor quality and uneven.

In Aceh province (Indonesia) - where 168,000 people were killed by the tsunami, on the night of December 25, a large prayer was held at the Aceh Mosque - one of the few buildings that stood firm when the tsunami swept through. Local Muslims said that because "This is the house of Allah".

In Thailand – where 5,395 people died, including about 2,000 foreign tourists – commemorations were held in Ban Nam Khem, a southern fishing village destroyed by the tsunami. Nearly 3,000 people are still missing.

A memorial service was held in Sri Lanka with the image of a ship that was swept away by the tsunami that killed 1,270 people. This ship will use the same engine as the old train, pulling five carriages of the stricken ship.

Tsunami drills will also be held to test the preparedness of fishermen in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where the 2004 tsunami killed 6,000 people.

Over the past decade, 28 coastal countries have invested more than $400 million to build a tsunami early warning system, including 101 sea level gauges, 148 seismometers, etc. However, concerns remain about the effectiveness of this investment. According to experts, millions of people living in coastal areas are still very vulnerable.

Images of revival on the "dead land" in Thailand and Indonesia: