Survival of the flood: 20 years of tsunami disaster in Thailand

Survival of the flood: 20 years of tsunami disaster in Thailand

Khao Lak, Thailand - On December 26, 2004, one of the most devastating natural disasters occurred in history: an earthquake of strength 9:1 on the Richter scale shook the Indian ocean off the coast of Sumatras. A few hours later, huge tsunamis met the coasts of Southeast Asia. Angelika Thomes from Mautern survived the catastrophe in Khao Lak, Thailand, seriously injured when she actually wanted to relax on the beach during a vacation week. "I saw in the corner of the eye how people suddenly run," she describes the terrifying moment. The wave did not appear to her at first, but the deafening sound, which became louder and louder, instinctively flee.

The force of the water quickly caught up and lost the orientation. "I didn't know, I died now, am I in heaven?" reports Thomes about the traumatic moments. The St. Pölten family was also in the same place, but fortunately was on a canoe tour when the tsunami wave struck. To this day, Ernestine Haltmeyer has retained the key to her resort and a book as memorial from the time when the entire town of Khao Lak was rated to the ground. "The only signs were in the morning when we went to the beach, all the animals had disappeared," she continues. This disaster remains a drastic part of her life story. "You live more consciously," reflects Haltmeyer after 20 years.

These personal experiences testify to the devastating power of nature and the deep wounds that they left. The memories of this tragic day accompany the survivors to this day, and their stories show how quickly life can get out of joint.

For more details about the memories of this terrible catastrophe you can read the article on noe.orf.at