Seconds from Disaster

On Boxing Day 2004, a powerful Indian Ocean tsunami struck, destroying coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. The disaster caused widespread devastation and resulted in the deaths of more than 220,000 people across the region. Its impact was felt across multiple nations, underscoring the extensive reach of the wave.

is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the genre of factual documentary, offering viewers a concise yet comprehensive look at a major natural disaster that reshaped several nations around the Indian Ocean. The episode centres on the massive tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day in 2004. It recounts how the sudden, towering wave surged onto coastal areas, wiping out infrastructure and communities in its path. The programme follows the sequence of events from the earthquake that triggered the sea‑wall of water to the overwhelming impact on the shorelines. The narrative highlights the devastation across four countries – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand – each of which suffered extensive damage to towns, villages and essential services. By focusing on these regions, the episode illustrates the widespread reach of the disaster and the varied challenges faced by the affected populations. In total, the tsunami claimed the lives of more than 220,000 people. The programme underscores the sheer scale of the loss of life, conveying the profound human tragedy that unfolded in the aftermath of the 2004 event.