26 December 2004

OCEAN TSUNAMI, 8,000 killed in Thailand, 230,000 in region

Thousands of people died after a 9.3-magnitude earthquake—the second-largest quake in recorded history—triggered a series of tsunami waves.

Nearly 230,000 people perished in a dozen countries along the Indian Ocean rim, including 8,000 who died along Thailand’s southwest Andaman coast. Thailand’s death toll was almost evenly split between Thais and foreigners. Over one-third of the bodies, swept out to sea, were never found. An estimated 8,450 were treated for injuries sustained during the tragedy.

More than half of those killed were on holiday or working in and around Khao Lak beach, in Phangnga province. The islands of Ko Phi Phi and Phuket, along with the coastal provinces of Krabi, Trang, Ranong and Satun were also hard hit, although with fewer fatalities. Rescuers discovered decomposing corpses strewn along the beaches, estuaries, mangroves and sea cliffs. The royal family grieved the loss of the King’s American-born grandson, Poom Jensen, 21, who was water-skiing along Khao Lak’s shore when the waves arrived.

International forensic teams flew in to help identify the dead. Some Buddhist temples that became makeshift morgues.

Thailand’s biggest natural disaster prompted the authorities to install warning systems and rehearse evacuations.

26 December 2004

OCEAN TSUNAMI, 8,000 killed in Thailand, 230,000 in region

Thousands of people died after a 9.3-magnitude earthquake—the second-largest quake in recorded history—triggered a series of tsunami waves.

Nearly 230,000 people perished in a dozen countries along the Indian Ocean rim, including 8,000 who died along Thailand’s southwest Andaman coast. Thailand’s death toll was almost evenly split between Thais and foreigners. Over one-third of the bodies, swept out to sea, were never found. An estimated 8,450 were treated for injuries sustained during the tragedy.

More than half of those killed were on holiday or working in and around Khao Lak beach, in Phangnga province. The islands of Ko Phi Phi and Phuket, along with the coastal provinces of Krabi, Trang, Ranong and Satun were also hard hit, although with fewer fatalities. Rescuers discovered decomposing corpses strewn along the beaches, estuaries, mangroves and sea cliffs. The royal family grieved the loss of the King’s American-born grandson, Poom Jensen, 21, who was water-skiing along Khao Lak’s shore when the waves arrived.

International forensic teams flew in to help identify the dead. Some Buddhist temples that became makeshift morgues.

Thailand’s biggest natural disaster prompted the authorities to install warning systems and rehearse evacuations.