Christmas in 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake under the Indian Ocean triggered tsunami waves that killed some 230,000 people across a dozen countries.

The powerful 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggered a tsunami that killed around 230,000 people across a dozen countries.

The earthquake and tsunami claimed the lives of over 200,000 people, the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century.

Twenty years after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that claimed over 230,000 lives across the Indian Ocean region, thousands gathered in the capital of Indonesia's Aceh province on Thursday to commemorate the tragedy.

One of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami marks its 20th anniversary on Dec. 26

Indian Ocean tsunami commemorated its 20th anniversary. Countries such as India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka held memorial services, dispersing flowers into the sea and lighting candles in remembrance of the victims.

A candlelight vigil was held on Thursday in the Thai village of Ban Nam Khem to mark 20 years since the massive Indian Ocean tsunami hit the region in one of modern history’s worst natural disasters.

Survivors and families of victims visited mass graves, lit candles and comforted one another across Southeast and South Asia in ceremonies to mark the disaster that killed some 230,000 people.