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