World & Nation

2004 Indian Ocean tsunami’s victims and survivors

On Dec. 28, 2004, a rescue and cleanup crew surveys a flooded lobby at the Seapearl Beach Hotel along Patong Beach on Phuket Island in Thailand.

On Dec. 28, 2004, a rescue and cleanup crew surveys a flooded lobby at the Seapearl Beach Hotel along Patong Beach on Phuket Island in Thailand.   (Deddeda Stemler / Associated Press)

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On Dec. 26, 2004, a tsunami set off by a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean killed more than 230,000 people in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and several other countries. Half of the victims were younger than 18, according to some estimates.

Flying over Banda Aceh

On Jan. 4, 2005, Senior Chief Petty Officer James Cash of San Diego surveys tsunami damage in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, from a helicopter.   (Andy Eames / Associated Press)

Mourning the dead

On Dec. 27, 2004, people at a relief camp temple in Varichikudi, India, mourn those killed by the tsunami.   (Gurinder Osan / Associated Press)

Flooded street

On Dec. 26, 2004, youths try to help a man to higher ground just after the tsunami hit Banda Aceh in Indonesia.   (Bedu Saini, Serambi Indonesia / Associated Press)

Tsunami victim

On Dec. 27, 2004, the father of a young tsunami victim cries over his child’s body in Galle, Sri Lanka.   (Vincent Thian / Associated Press)

At a camp

On Jan. 16, 2005, Sofyan Amzit and his family rest in a tent in the Samahani Refugee Camp.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Collecting the dead

On Jan. 18, 2005, wrapped bodies of tsunami victims line a street near a boat amid the rubble in Lampulo village, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Comforting each other

On Jan. 9, 2005, Norhayati, right, and her niece Ita embrace for the first time since the tsunami left a trail of destruction in a small village on the outskirts of Banda Aceh, Indonesia.   (Peter Dejong / Associated Press)

Tsunami victims

On Dec. 30, 2004, bodies lie outside a Buddhist temple near Takuapa, Thailand.   (David Longstreath / Associated Press)

Surveying damage

On Feb. 17, 2005, a man stands near a fishing boat swept onto land by the tsunami in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.   (Dita Alangkara / Associated Press)

Elephant helpers

On Jan. 19, 2005, elephant Marwan is used to move rubble in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Aerial view of damage

On Jan. 30, 2005, a mosque is the only structure left standing in this part of the village of Lhoknga near Banda Aceh, Indonesia.   (Greg Baker / Associated Press)

A lost sister

On Dec. 29, 2004, Kusol Wetchakul offers prayers for the soul of his sister near Khao Lak, Thailand. Wetchakul’s sister was swept out to sea by the tsunami.   (David Longstreath / Associated Press)

Barrier

On Nov. 11, 2014, a little over a month from the 10-year anniversary of the tsunami, a barrier can be seen along the coast in West Aceh, Indonesia. After the tsunami, NGOs helped construct barriers along Aceh’s coast to prevent floods.   (Don Lee / Los Angeles Times)

Tsunami survivor

On Nov. 19, 2014, Iqbal, who lost his mother and a sister in the tsunami, studies in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. “I never go back to the beach,” the 18-year-old says.  (Don Lee / Los Angeles Times)

Memorial

On Dec. 24, 2014, women at the Tsunami Museum in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, have their photo taken near the wall displaying the names of tsunami victims.  (Binsar Bakkara / Associated Press)

Empty coastline

On Nov. 28, 2014, the Aceh province shoreline worst hit 10 years ago by the tsunami is free of buildings, as people continue to avoid the beach.   (Bay Ismoyo / AFP/Getty Images)

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