The death and devastation were reported from at least 14 nations stretching from the shores of Africa to Indonesia. Conservative estimates say close to 200,000 people were killed, but some estimates put the toll up to 275,000 as thousands are recorded missing. The tragedy displaced an estimated 1.5 million people in these nations and injured some 150,000 people. Indonesia, close to the epicenter of the quake was the worst hit, where 126,915 people are recorded dead. Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Somalia Myanmar, Malaysia and Seychells were other affected nations. Several countries in Europe also experienced the pain of tragedy as many of their citizens enjoying holiday on Asian beach resorts were killed. Such nations include Australia, Sweden and Germany. Some 500 citizens of Germany were reported killed in the disaster. |