President Solih unveils tsunami monument in Kolhufushi

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Monday, inaugurated the tsunami monument built at M. Kolhufushi in remembrance of Kolhufushi residents who lost their lives in the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

The President and First Lady Fazna Ahmed traveled to Kolhfushi on Monday for National Unity Day celebrations during which they took part in the official ceremony held to mark the Unity Day.

President Solih inaugurated the tsunami monument at the island during this ceremony. He was presented with a model of the tsunami monument as well.

Sixteen deaths were recorded from Kolhufushi in the tsunami. The monument was designed in memory of the 16 lives lost.

Maldives was one of the countries that were significantly impacted by the tsunami which was a result of a major earthquake that struck with an epicenter off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. 26 people died, and 82 people went missing in the Maldives in the incident.

The greatest number of deaths were recorded from Meemu Atoll; amounting to 34 people. The greatest number of deaths from a single island was recorded from Th. Vilufushi – being 15 people. Three people also went missing.

The second greatest number of deaths was recorded from Kolhufushi; 10 people died and six went missing.

Thaa Atoll saw most number of deaths in the incident – being 34. Second most number of deaths were recorded from Laamu Atoll – being 25 people. Third most number of deaths were recorded from Dhaalu Atoll – being 13 people.