6. The Christmas Day Tsunami (2004)
On December 26, 2004, a catastrophic 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a devastating tsunami that affected 14 countries around the Indian Ocean. The disaster resulted in approximately 230,000 deaths and displaced over 1.7 million people. The United Nations and various international organizations mobilized extensive humanitarian aid to assist the affected regions. This tragedy underscored the need for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, leading to the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System to mitigate future risks (un.org).
