The wave claimed the lives of over 230,000 people, and one of the survivors, Saudah, a 64-year-old woman from Sumatra, has spent the past 20 years holding on to hope that her missing son, Muhammad Siddiq, is still alive.
"I remember the earth rumbling, and the panic in the air," Saudah recalled.
"My neighbors were running out of their homes, and I knew something was wrong. I held Siddiq tightly, shouting at my other children to run to the mosque."
The tsunami hit fast, and Saudah, still holding her young son, ran as fast as she could.
"We reached the mosque, but the wave caught us. I was swept away with Siddiq, and we got separated," she said, her voice trembling.
When the waves finally subsided, Saudah was able to find six of her children.
But Siddiq and one of her daughters were missing. While her daughter is believed to have been buried in a mass grave, there are stories that Siddiq might still be out there.
"Some survivors told us they saw Siddiq among the many displaced people," Saudah shared.
"My husband dreams about him, and in his dreams, Siddiq says he's alive. We all believe he is."
Even after two decades, the family has not given up. They still believe that Siddiq might find his way home.
"We continue to search for him. I post his picture on social media every chance I get," said Femi Malisa, Saudah’s 42-year-old son. "If he's still out there, I wish for him to come home," Femi added.
Saudah's hope never wavers, despite the years of uncertainty. "I keep praying, and I believe he will come back," she said softly. "I know my son is out there, and I won't stop looking for him."
Saudah’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming loss.
For the survivors of the 2004 tsunami, the pain may never fully heal, but the hope for a loved one to return can remain alive forever.
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