The Reunion

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Factual: Life Stories

Series which reunites a group of people intimately involved in a moment of modern history

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The Reunion: The Boxing Day Tsunami

The Boxing Day Tsunami

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Kirsty Wark reunites five people whose lives were changed by the tsunami of 2004.

Kirsty Wark reunites survivors and key figures involved in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. Nearly 230,000 people died, making it one of the deadliest disasters in modern history.

In 2004, an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered a massive tsunami. Waves as high as 100ft hit the shoreline of Banda Aceh in Indonesia, killing more than 100,000 people and pounding the city into rubble. Then huge waves rolled over coastlines in Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka, killing tens of thousands more. In total, nearly 230,000 people died, making it one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. 

Kirsty Wark reunites survivors and key figures involved in the Boxing Day tsunami.

Novia Liza was a university student living in Aceh. She lost seven members of her family. Novia and her remaining siblings were separated from each other and cared for by other family members. But the relationship with her carers broke down and she returned to live in the shattered remains of her home. She has never spoken publicly about her grief until now. 

British engineer, Andy Chaggar, was seven weeks into a year-long world tour with his partner Nova. They were staying in the idyllic holiday resort of Khao Lak in Thailand, in a beach bungalow. Nova and their friend were both killed. Andy sustained terrible injuries and struggled for years with mental anguish. Returning to Thailand to aid the recovery helped with his own healing. He eventually set up his own international volunteer agency with his new partner Emma, a fellow aid worker. 

Kontoro Mangkusbroto was appointed head of reconstruction and rehabilitation in Aceh after the tsunami. He faced anger from locals who'd been living in tents for months, his weight dropped, and rebel independence fighters jeopardised the reconstruction process. Pak Kontoro faced down all the problems, spending years in the province to rebuild communities. 

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Karen Pirie
Series Producer: David Prest 
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