Asian nations remember 2004 tsunami victims

Bali, Indonesia: Thousands of people fled Indonesia's coast on Tuesday as the country practiced its largest-ever earthquake and tsunami drill, while other Asian nations prayed at mass graves and lit candles marking the two year anniversary of the killer tsunami.

Two years after an earthquake off western Indonesia unleashed a tsunami the threat still lives on as Asian residents were reminded when two powerful earthquakes struck off southwestern Taiwan, sparking a brief alert that a damaging tsunami might be on its way. However, nothing materialised.

The devastating waves claimed 230,000 lives; some 167,000 of the deaths were on Sumatra's northern tip. Sri Lanka, India and Thailand also suffered major losses.

Briton Sharon Howard lost her fiance and two children on that day, December 26, 2004. "I miss them. They were my life," she said as tears streamed down her face. "I wish I could turn back time and they could all come back."

Sharon attended a memorial ceremony on Khao Lak beach in Thailand, while others observed a moment of silence, lit candles, burnt incense, offered prayers and threw flowers in to the sea.

Since the 2004 natural disaster governments, volunteers and residents have been taking steps to protect against future tsunamis. Sri Lanka erected the first of 100 tsunami warning towers on a beach and volunteers in Malaysia replanted mangroves to act as a natural barrier against the devastating waves.

Indonesia tested its new tsunami technology, installed over the last two years, by organising a drill, which was also aimed at raising the public's awareness of safety measures.

However, corruption has forced numerous humanitarian groups to delay projects or the rebuilding of homes after contractors and suppliers ran off with the funds.