An image showing tsunami survivors taking a respite in front of the Baitulrahman Mosque (top) on 26 December 2004 and a view of the same area on 16 December 2014 (bottom). - Photo EPA/HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK
Today, a decade ago, a mega tsunami triggered by an approximate 9.0-magnitude undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean and hit Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
It was a Sunday and the folks in the province were milling around attending to their weekend chores when the retreating waves rolled in and almost instantly flattened the entire village of Banda Aceh.
Eighteen countries were also affected by the devastation including Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Somalia and Tanzania. The ferocious waves also hit our own backyard in the sleepy town of Kuala Muda and the Pearl of Orient, Penang.
In total, the tsunami claimed the lives of a staggering 286,000 people, including 221,000 people missing or killed in Banda Aceh.
READ: Destructive tsunami also brought peace to conflict-riven Aceh
With retreating waves travelling at a breakneck speed of 800km/h and reaching heights up to 30-meters, it is little wonder that buildings, live stocks and humans were swept away.
VIDEO: New families give Asian Tsunami survivors chance of second life
In total, the tsunami claimed the lives of a staggering 286,000 people, including 221,000 people missing or killed in Banda Aceh. Local media reported that 35,000 bodies were never found.
VIDEO: Banda Aceh 10 years on
Banda Aceh was the worst hit with 64-square kilometers of area completely destroyed.
PHOTO GALLERY: 10 YEARS POST-TSUNAMI
A decade has passed and while the scars remain,su life continues for the survivors. It may seem a far-fetched for the folks of this hardest-hit town to return to normalcy yet today, Banda Aceh rises rapidly from the ruins with new developments.
Meanwhile, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the devastating tragedy, fellow Netizens took to Twitter to share images of the devastating tragedy:
