Asia remembers 220,000 victims of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

On December 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's western tip triggered a massive tsunami that devastated coastal regions in 14 countries. The disaster, which is considered the most devastating tsunami in human history, resulted in approximately 230,000 deaths, with the majority, nearly 170,000, occurring in Indonesia. The Banda Aceh region was severely impacted, with survivors gathering to commemorate the tens of thousands killed there. The earthquake also caused widespread destruction, with Aceh's Baiturrahman Grand Mosque being one of the structures affected. Memorials took place across the region, with people visiting mass graves and gathering in prayer, often in tears.