HIKKADUWA — 2004 · Major Tragedy
Peraliya Tsunami Train Disaster
On the morning of 26 December 2004, a crowded passenger train from Colombo to Matara, known as the 'Queen of the Sea' (Samudra Devi), was caught at Peraliya near Hikkaduwa by the tsunami that followed the Indian Ocean earthquake. Because of the Buddhist full-moon holiday and the Christmas weekend, more than 1,500 ticketed passengers were aboard, and villagers fleeing the first wave also climbed onto the carriages. A larger second wave derailed the carriages and swept them inland. The death toll is estimated at between 900 and 1,700, and many bodies were never recovered. It is regarded as the deadliest railway disaster in history. A restored carriage and a memorial now stand at the site.
- Date
- 2004
- Place
- Peraliya, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa, LK
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 6.2000, 80.1000 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 26 December 2004The tsunami derailed the passenger train at Peraliya.
- January 2005About 900 bodies were recovered; many remained missing.
- LaterThe line reopened and a memorial was built at the site.
- 26 December 2024The disaster was commemorated on its 20th anniversary.
Sources
- Wikipedia — 2004 Sri Lanka tsunami train wreck en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News — Sri Lanka tsunami train news.bbc.co.uk ↗
- France 24 — Sri Lanka train memorial honours tsunami tragedy france24.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- BBC News
- France 24
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.