Phuket Tsunami 2004

What happened?
 On December 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra,
Indonesia.
 The earthquake triggered a series of powerful waves that traveled across the Indian
Ocean at 500 mph2.
 The waves reached up to 100 feet high and caused extensive damage to coastal areas.
 The tsunami hit Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Malaysia, among other
countries.
 The tsunami was the deadliest in recorded history, taking 230,000 lives in a matter of
hours.

How did it affect Phuket?

 Phuket is a popular tourist destination in Thailand, known for its beaches and resorts.
 The tsunami hit Phuket an hour and a half after the earthquake, catching many locals and
tourists unaware.
 The waves swept away buildings, cars, boats, and people along the shorelines.
 The death toll in Phuket was nearly 5,400, including 2,000 foreign tourists.
 Many survivors were injured, traumatized, or separated from their loved ones.
 The tsunami also damaged the infrastructure, environment, and economy of Phuket.

How did Phuket recover?

 The international community responded with humanitarian aid, donations, and volunteers
to help the affected areas.
 The Thai government and local authorities coordinated the rescue, relief, and recovery
efforts.
 The survivors received medical care, food, water, shelter, and counseling.
 The missing and dead were identified and buried with dignity.
 The debris was cleared and the damaged buildings were repaired or rebuilt.
 The tourism industry was revived with campaigns and incentives to attract visitors.
 The early warning systems and disaster preparedness were improved to prevent future
tragedies.