2004

The largest earthquake recorded in the past 700 years to hit the Indian Ocean, struck underwater near Indonesia on 26 December 2004 at 05:58:52 local time. The undersea megathrust earthquake measured between Richter magnitude 9.1 and 9.3, and lasted between eight to ten minutes.

230,000 people from 14 countries lost their lives in this disaster. This is the largest number of people to die in one earthquake since 526. It holds the record of the world’s third most powerful earthquake.

USD 14 billion was given by countries all over the world, as aid to areas destroyed by this tsunami.

In Indonesia, 130726 people were confirmed dead and 37063 were missing due to the disaster. This brought the death toll to 167799. The number of people who were left homeless in Indonesia exceeds 500,000.

In Sri Lanka, 35322 people were confirmed dead and 21411 people were left injured. Over 500,000 people lost their homes in Sri Lanka as well.

In India, 12405 were confirmed dead and 5640 were missing. The death toll was therefore 18045. More than 600,000 people lost their homes.

In Thailand, 5395 people were confirmed dead and 2817 people were missing. This brought the death toll to 8212, while the number of people who were injured was 8457. About 7000 people were left homeless in Thailand.

In Somalia, 78 people were confirmed dead and 211 believed to be missing. The death toll was therefore 289. About 5,000 people lost their homes in Somalia.

In Burma, 61 people were confirmed dead and between 340 and 540 were missing. The death toll was therefore between 400 and 600. 45 people were injured and about 3,200 people lost their homes in Burma.

While 82 people died in Maldives, 26 people were missing. The death toll was 108. About 15,000 people lost their homes.

In Malaysia, 68 people were confirmed dead and 7 people missing. This brought the death toll to 75 people. The number of people injured was 299.

In Tanzania, 10 people died and 3 people were missing. The death toll was therefore 13.

Three people died and 57 people were injured in Seychelles. About 200 people lost their homes in Seychelles.

Two people each died in Bangladesh, South Africa and Yemen. In Kenya, one person died and two people were injured. While nobody died in Madagascar, about 1,000 were left homeless.

The total economic loss of this disaster comes to billions of dollars. USD 14 billion was received as aid by these countries.