Coastline demolished by the tsunami which struck South Asia on 26/12/2004. .An underwater earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale triggered a series of tidal waves which caused devastation when they struck dry land. 12 countries were affected by the tsunami, with a combined death toll of over 280,000. Aceh, the closest landfall to the epicentre of the quake, suffered the greatest loss of life.Photo: Dermot Tatlow/Panos Pictures/Felix Features