Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli PM Office: Netanyahu has ordered that the Rafah crossing will not open until further notice.
Ambrey: Cameroon-flagged tanker issues distress call following explosion abroad, approximately 60NM south of Yemen's Ahwar.
Araghchi: Iran adopted a constructive approach in its engagement to ensure the European Union and the E3 fully honored their commitments and lifted all sanctions.
Araghchi: After a year of Iran’s full compliance with the agreement, it began implementing gradual, proportionate, and reversible compensatory steps in accordance with its recognized rights under the deal.
Araghchi: Iran demonstrated the utmost restraint in the face of repeated and fundamental violations and made extensive efforts to restore balance and preserve the agreement.
In his letter, Araghchi stated: The E3 failed to fulfill their obligations and instead imposed additional illegal sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions.
Araghchi: These coercive measures constituted a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter, causing severe disruption in the implementation of the agreement.
Araghchi: Washington initially refrained from fulfilling its commitments, then withdrew from the agreement, reimposed its illegal and unilateral sanctions, and even expanded them.
Araghchi: UN Security Council Resolution 2231 has expired and fully ceased to be in effect as of today, in accordance with its explicit provisions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Reimposing sanctions on Iran is illegal

Asia marks 20 years since deadly Indian Ocean Tsunami

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 26 Dec 2024 20:27
4 Min Read

A massive wave triggered by an earthquake killed 230,000 people in 2004, with memorials being held now across Southeast and South Asia.

Listen
  • x
  • Asia marks 20 years since deadly Indian Ocean Tsunami
    A woman sprinkles water on a stone marking a mass grave of victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on December 26, 2024. (AP)

Survivors and relatives of victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami 20 years ago visited mass graves, lighted candles, and consoled one another in rituals across Southeast and South Asia on Thursday to commemorate the tragedy, which killed an estimated 230,000 people.

The tsunami on December 26, 2004, was caused by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh region, bringing waves as high as 17.4 meters (57 feet) crashing onto the shores of Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and nine other nations.

In Indonesia, which had more than half of the total death toll, hundreds gathered at a mass grave in the Ulee Lheue hamlet, sprinkling flower petals on the grave markers, many sobbing for the people they lost.

Some said they were unsure if their loved ones were truly present, since many were buried unidentified. 

Nurkhalis, a 52-year-old who lost his wife, children, parents, and in-laws without finding their corpses said the date still "haunts us" despite the time passing.

A memorial service was also held in the front yard of Aceh's Grand Baiturrahman Mosque, with hundreds sitting in silence for three minutes before praying together.

Sri Lanka observed the day with a two-minute silence at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial Statue in Galle, according to a brief statement from the country's disaster management department.

Thailand, where the tragedy killed 54,000 people, commemorated the occasion at Ban Nam Khem hamlet in southern Phang Nga province with religious ceremonies for those who perished, and hundreds gathered at the Tsunami Wall,  a memorial place near where the rites were performed.

Related News

Madagascar military seizes power as President Rajoelina flees

Russian, Bangladeshi navies conduct drills in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka observed the day with a two-minute silence at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial Statue in Galle, according to a brief statement from the country's disaster management department.

A 62-year-old resident who lost her daughter expressed she could no longer bring herself near the sea. "I felt that the waves took my daughter away, I was so mad at it," she said.

People 'paying terrible price' for climate inaction: Guterres

Back in October,  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once again raised the alarm about global warming, saying that humanity is already "paying a terrible price" for failing to act on the matter.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) issued a new study citing all-time high greenhouse gas emissions documented in the UN Emissions Gap study 2024, asking world leaders to take immediate action to avert catastrophic rises in temperatures and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Guterres stated in a recorded statement during the publication of the UNEP's Emissions Gap report that the emissions gap is not an abstract concept, emphasizing that "there is a direct link between increasing emissions and increasingly frequent and intense climate disasters," asserting that the report clearly showed "there can be no more playing for time. We are out of time."

"Around the world, people are paying a terrible price," he stated, detailing how these emissions mean record temperatures that fuel "monster hurricanes," and "biblical floods."

He cautioned that "Record heat is turning forests into tinder boxes," likening the situation to walking a tightrope.

"Either leaders bridge the emissions gap or we plunge headlong into climate disaster, with the poorest and most vulnerable suffering the most," Guterres said, describing that there was still hope if the world's leading economies take the lead in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Today's report shows affordable, existing technologies can achieve the emissions reductions we need to 2030 and 2035 to meet the 1.5°C limit, but only with a surge in ambition and support," he explained. 

  • Tsunami
  • Indian Ocean
  • Sri Lanka
  • thailand
  • Indonesia
  • Asia
  • Natural disasters

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Residents remove debris from a house damaged by Wednesday's two drone strikes, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Afghanistan-Pakistan negotiations to begin in Doha: Exclusive

Palestine Action wins court fight to challenge UK terror ban
Politics

Palestine Action wins court fight to challenge UK 'terror' ban

John Bolton surrenders after classified documents indictment
Politics

John Bolton turns himself in after classified documents indictment

GSF, GMTG slams EU over complicity in Gaza genocide
Politics

GSF, GMTG slam EU over complicity in crimes against Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS