On December 26, 2004, a huge underwater earthquake off the coast of the island of Sumatra triggered what is now the worst natural disaster of this century, the deadliest tsunami ever.
Gigantic waves arose, reaching a height of 30 meters and causing a death toll estimated at around 230,000 in 15 different countries.
Click the 'play' button above to listen to the interview with Patrizia Mancini
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN
Indonesia was the most affected country, but the tsunami carried its destructive force across Asia for thousands of kilometers, with confirmed victims also in Somalia, Tanzania and even South Africa.
On the twentieth anniversary of that tragedy we remember what happened through the stories of those who were in those areas.
When communications were restored and we got word of what was happening, we realized how lucky we had been
Patrizia Mancini
Patrizia Mancini had recently started her six-month contract as a diving instructor on an island in the Maldives and she recalled to SBS Italian: “That morning I was inside the diving centerready to go on a customer dive.”
As they approached the pier, Patrizia and the rest of the group noticed that “the water was starting to rise and a wave had broken the pier a little and had removed the anchorage of a couple of boats, which therefore they were going away.”
An aerial image of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, one of the areas most devastated by the tsunami Source: EPA / HOTLI SIMANJUNTAK/EPA
Listen every day, from 8am to 10am.
Follow us on e or subscribe to our podcasts by clicking .
