ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Footage from tourist shows chaotic aftermath of Boxing Day tsunami
Home>News>World News
Updated 20:46 27 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 20:45 27 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Footage from tourist shows chaotic aftermath of Boxing Day tsunami

The footage shows the devastation caused by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which killed 149 British tourists

Mia Williams

Mia Williams

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Rare footage from a tourist shows the devastating aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami disaster.

It was around 228,000 people that died as a result of the 9.1 magnitude earthquake and giant tsunami that bulldozed into Indonesian coastlines on 26 December 2004.

It was one of the largest natural disasters ever recorded, and had devastating consequences for several countries.

Over two decades on from the disaster, many of the towns and villages have been rebuilt or totally transformed.

Advert

The 2004 tsunami was one of the largest that has ever been recorded. (YouTube/@kallewidelius9395)
The 2004 tsunami was one of the largest that has ever been recorded. (YouTube/@kallewidelius9395)

The estimated total cost of the damage from around Indonesia was $10 billion (£6.4 billion).

It was thought that 141,000 houses were destroyed, which accounted for 47 percent of the entire damage.

Footage from a tourist who managed to survive the enormous waves reveals the devastating impact of the natural disaster.

One of the most badly affected parts was an island off Thailand called Koh Phi Phi, which is where the video was taken.

The small island was completely vulnerable, and was attacked by the giant waves from every angle.

The video shows water pouring into hotels, with people running up the stairs to the highest point for protection.

The tourists were able to film the devastation from a window on a high floor, and everything below appeared to be totally submerged.

Houses were flooded, buildings collapsed, as the waves reached a hight of 65-100ft in some places.

For many, they had no chance of escaping to safety.

Joe Giardina was on holiday at the time of the disaster, with his wife, Ivana, and son, Paul, in Phuket.

Speaking to ABC News, he said: "I said, 'My God, look at that. That's an extraordinary wave. It's come up onto the footpath', but it kept coming.

"I didn't anticipate this thing to develop into a wall of water.

The hotel was flooded. (YouTube/@kallewidelius9395)
The hotel was flooded. (YouTube/@kallewidelius9395)

"You're just an animal.

"You're a creature at that moment paralysed by your fear.

"Everything just happened in the millisecond."

An estimated 10,000 British tourists were affected by the tsunami, and 149 died.

A large majority were thought to be staying in beach resorts in Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Among the Brits who died was Sir Richard Attenborough's 49-year-old daughter Jane Attenborough, and her 14-year-old daughter, who were holidaying in a resort when disaster struck.

In the twenty years after the devastating tsunami and earthquake, it's been reported there are almost 400 victims that remain unidentified and unclaimed.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/@kallewidelius9395)

Topics: World News, Environment, Travel

Mia Williams
Mia Williams

Mia is a freelance writer for LADBible, and an award-winning trainee journalist at the UK’s No.1 journalism school, News Associates.

X

@mia_francessca

Recommended reads

The Odyssey's Samantha Morton cheated death in accident that impacted her ability to speakShane Anthony Sinclair/Getty ImagesWhy Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland filmed The Odyssey without ever looking at each otherUniversal StudiosCouple now paying less than their rent after discovering mortgage scheme on TikTokSuppliedJennifer Garner makes rare comment about ex-husband Ben Affleck as she opens up on impact on kidsPascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
9 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Diary of a CEO/YouTube
    7 hours ago

    Sobering explanation behind why people in these three countries barely get cancer

    They have some of the lowest rates in the world

    News
  • Facebook
    7 hours ago

    DNA confirms what happened after woman killed in horrific alligator attack in front of boyfriend

    Brittany Clark, 31, was killed by the alligator in the Little Big Econ State Forest in Orlando

    News
  • SWNS
    9 hours ago

    Woman who thought red patch on face was eczema 'freaked out' to discover it was cancer

    Beth Brown had initially brushed off the marks, and now shared a warning for people going out in the sun

    News
  • (Hampshire Police)
    11 hours ago

    Mum of Henry Nowak killer Vickrum Digwa jailed for hiding murder weapon

    Kiran Kaur has been given a three-year sentence for assisting an offender

    News
  • Forensic investigator reveals harrowing scenes he'll never forget 21 years on from Boxing Day tsunami
  • Ryanair passenger saved from being sucked out of plane after window breaks mid-flight
  • New footage shows 'truth' behind Jude Bellingham 'slapping' Argentina player during post-match clash
  • Rare footage shows how world’s most isolated tribe react to contact from outsiders