Gov’t Officials Honor Lives Lost in 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

Government officials, led by the President, observed a minute of silence this morning on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

The ceremony took place at 9:23 am—the recorded time the tsunami struck the Maldives—on the grass field south of the President’s Office, the site of the former Huravee Building. Joining the President were Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, and staff from the President’s Office.

In an act of shared grief and remembrance, government employees also joined in the moment of reflection, remembering those affected by the disaster and paying tribute to the lives lost.

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The tsunami, which devastated the Maldives, claimed 82 lives, left 26 people missing, and displaced 15,000 citizens. It impacted nearly every inhabited island except for nine. The nation’s response in the aftermath demonstrated the resilience and solidarity of the Maldivian people.

December 26th is observed annually as National Unity Day, a day to reflect on the strength and unity shown by the people in the face of immense loss and to honour the memory of those who were lost.