W hile I was searching for an article to write and post here at The Gate, I accidentally stumbled upon a video — which led to a series of seven videos — much of which are actual footage of the Boxing Day tsunami which occurred in the Indian Ocean on Sunday, December 26, 2004.
I did not realize that it had already been ten years since that one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history occurred, killing at least an estimated 230,000 people in 14 different countries with tidal waves as high as 100 feet as a result of an undersea earthquake whose magnitude was estimated to be as high as 9.3. Additionally, an additional 125,000 people were injured; and approximately 1.74 million people were displaced. The numbers are staggering.
Although I remembered when the deadliest tsunami on record occurred, I have never seen the amount of footage like I saw in the series of videos from what appeared to be a television program called Tsunami: Caught On Camera.
Warning: the video series contains graphic images — including dead bodies and bloody injuries — as well as footage of the tsunami wreaking havoc as it happened. The videos also contain the gut-wrenching stories as told by the survivors interviewed for the program:
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 1
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 2
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 3
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 4
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 5
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 6
Tsunami: Caught On Camera Part 7
Each video is approximately seven to eleven minutes in duration. Give yourself slightly greater than an hour in total to watch them.
Normally, I would not post something which occurred greater than ten years ago; but I got caught up in the videos, which affected me. I was amazed at how one moment a family could be enjoying a vacation in paradise — only to forever lose at least one family member to a natural disaster only moments later…
…and it could happen at any time wherever earthquakes are known to most likely occur.
I also decided to compile a list of discussions posted on FlyerTalk pertaining to this incredible event to show how FlyerTalk members from all over the world reacted — including how they helped and gave of themselves — as well as some who were directly and indirectly affected by it:
- I just survived the tsunami in Thailand… OMNI forum
- Tsunami story from UA member United Mileage Plus (Pre-Merger) [closed to posting] forum
- Close relative missing in Tsunami, bought hotel room via PL… Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
- Tsunami Hits Phuket Thai Airways | Royal Orchid Plus forum
- OT: Tsunami hits South East Asia incl Thailand, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka Air Canada | Aeroplan forum
- Tsunami – any casualties at Hilton Maldives/Phuket/Colombo? Extent of damage? Hilton | Hilton HHonors forum
- Please consider helping countries affected by Tsunami TravelBuzz forum
- Tsunami effects on Luxe resorts in SE Asia Luxury Hotels forum
- Tsunami Survival Story From HI Phuket Residents InterContinental Hotels | IHG Rewards Club and Intercontinental Ambassador forum
- Anyone planning to holiday soon in an area affected by the Tsunami? TravelBuzz forum
- Accor properties affected by Tsunami Accor | Le Club Accorhotels forum
- Any news of Sheraton Phuket after the tsunami hit today? United Mileage Plus (Pre-Merger) [closed to posting] forum
- High-Tech and Tsunami Relief Travel Technology forum
- NYC – Eat out and help Tsunami Victims DiningBuzz forum
- KLM helps Tsunami victims KLM Flying Dutchman forum
- United Miles for Tsunami Relief Donation United Mileage Plus (Pre-Merger) [closed to posting] forum
- AA now offering 500 miles for tsunami relief donations American Airlines | AAdvantage (Pre-Consolidation) forum
- Points for tsunami aid MilesBuzz forum
- Donate points to support Tsunami Relief Qantas | Frequent Flyer forum
- Donate AP points to Tsunami relief, reconstruction Air Canada | Aeroplan forum
- How can I donate SIN miles to help Indian Ocean Earthquake/Tsunami Region Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer forum
- Cross-Post: Help buy rice in Sri Lanka for Tsunami survivors Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer forum
- Asian Tsunami Roll Call of FT Family CommunityBuzz forum
I had visited Phuket four years and several months later; and you would have never known that anything happened.
My thoughts still go out to the families and friends of the victims ten years later…
