Maldives holds moment of silence to mark Unity Day

Citizens and government officials across the country stood in a moment of silence this morning to mark Unity Day, the official day declared in remembrance of the Boxing Day Tsunami that devastated the region in 2004.

President Abdulla Yameen and other government officials observed the moment of silence outside the President’s Office at 9:20 a.m., the time recorded as when the first waves of the tsunami hit the Maldives in 2004.

Individuals and employees of government and private offices also stood on the streets in all atolls across the country to remember the loss of lives and devastation that swept the country nine years ago today.

The disaster claimed 82 lives in the Maldives and 26 were reported missing.