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Indian Ocean tsunami anniversary: Memorials held across region Indian Ocean tsunami anniversary: Memorial events held
(about 4 hours later)
A memorial has been held in the Indonesian town of Banda Aceh for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami - the first in a series of events marking a decade since the disaster. Memorial services are being held in Indonesia and other nations for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami on the 10th anniversary of the disaster.
Memorial ceremonies are also due to be held in Thailand and Sri Lanka. In Indonesia's province of Aceh - the worst hit area - Vice-President Jusuf Kalla led tributes to the dead at the Siron mass grave.
More than 200,000 people were killed when an underwater earthquake set off massive waves across the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004. Memorial ceremonies also take place in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The Indonesian province of Aceh - close to the quake epicentre - was worst hit. More than 200,000 people died when an underwater earthquake set off massive waves on 26 December 2004.
In the province's capital, Banda Aceh, thousands of people gathered at the Great Mosque - a 19th Century building that was one of the few structures in the town to survive the tsunami. In Aceh's capital, Banda Aceh, Mr Kalla thanked local volunteers and the outside world for helping Aceh recover from the tragedy.
He also presented awards to ambassadors from the donor nations.
Earlier, thousands of people earlier gathered at the city's Great Mosque - a 19th Century building that was one of the few structures in the town to survive the tsunami.
The mosque's imam, Asman Ismail, said the tsunami had taught a "valuable lesson" to Aceh, which had been the scene of an armed conflict for nearly 30 years.The mosque's imam, Asman Ismail, said the tsunami had taught a "valuable lesson" to Aceh, which had been the scene of an armed conflict for nearly 30 years.
"After the tsunami, no-one fights against each other, people live in harmony and peace till this day," he said."After the tsunami, no-one fights against each other, people live in harmony and peace till this day," he said.
Efforts to end the conflict resumed after the tsunami, culminating in a peace deal between the government and the rebels in August 2005.Efforts to end the conflict resumed after the tsunami, culminating in a peace deal between the government and the rebels in August 2005.
Main commemoration ceremonies are due to take place across the region later on Friday.
Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla is expected to thank local volunteers and the outside world for helping Aceh recover from the tragedy.
More: Images of the devastation then and nowMore: Images of the devastation then and now
In Thailand, people are marking the anniversary with a series of solemn events and religious rites throughout the day.
In the small fishing village of Ban Nam Khem, Phang Nga province, people have been laying flowers at a memorial wall displaying names of the victims.
The village was devastated by the massive waves.
Nearly 5,500 people died in Thailand, including many tourists from European countries.
In Sri Lanka, the Ocean Queen Express train - which has become a symbol of the tragedy for the nation - will be at the centre of commemorative events.
The overcrowded train was hit by the tsunami south of the capital Colombo. More than 1,700 people died, in what was the world's biggest rail disaster.
The strength of the quake off Indonesia's coast - the biggest tremor in the world since 1964 - unleashed giant waves that rushed across the Indian Ocean.
The tsunami also hit Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Maldives and later reached the east African nations' of Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania.