Banda Aceh, which was the closest major city, was the worst affected.
Local eyewitnesses described the tsunami arriving in three large waves.
The first wave was gentle, rising only as far as the foundation of the buildings.
This was followed by two large wall of water which travelled inland destroying everything that stood in its way.
One of the barges was carried far into the interior.
It is believed that these victims are still under the boat, crushed together with their homes.
After the waters receded this vessel became one of the symbols of the disaster and an early visitor attraction.
This includes a wooden fishermans boat that is still lodged on top of a roof.
59 people took refugee in the boat as the sea water ravaged all around them.
Today, the boat is revered as a sort of Noah’s ark.
Photo credit:AusAID/Wikimedia Commons
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