AP PHOTOS: Scenes of devastation from the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami

On Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered a devastating tsunami that ravaged coastal communities across Asia, resulting in the deaths of 230,000 people. The massive wave destroyed villages, ports, and tourist resorts in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka, leaving a trail of destruction thousands of miles long. The disaster highlighted the urgent need for improved early warning systems and disaster preparedness measures in vulnerable coastal regions.

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