Tsunami 2004
On Boxing Day, 2004, a tsunami swept across the Indian Ocean devastating 18 countries, killing hundreds of thousands of people, and leaving many more homeless.
The Australian Federal Police, like all Australia, was horrified by the destruction wrought by the disaster.
Within 24 hours, with the magnitude of the damage and loss of life becoming very clear, the AFP had committed itself to relief efforts. It was obvious that the clean up of debris and the rebuilding of infrastructure would be a major task. Sadly, the most difficult but also most important task would be collecting and identifying the dead.
The AFP’s strong relationship with the Royal Thai Police led to the Thai Government offering the AFP a lead role in coordinating the Disaster Victim Identification process (DVI) and DVI team members began arriving in Thailand on December 28.
Drawing on knowledge from the first Bali bombings identification process, the AFP oversaw the establishment of the Thailand Tsunami Victim Identification Centre.
The initial team comprised 37 specialists, including experts in forensic science, pathology and odontology, along with family support officers and communication support staff. They faced gruelling conditions, language barriers and the difficulties of being away from home and loved ones for extended periods.
During a 12-month period, the AFP coordinated an Australian operation consisting of officers from both the AFP and state police agencies, which successfully identified more than 2500 human remains. By mid-December 2005, there were about 800 bodies yet to be identified. There were 26 Australians killed by the Tsunami, with the last Australian victim being identified in August 2005.
The Thailand Tsunami Victim Identification (TTVI) Centre closed in mid-December and most of the TTVI team returned to Australia. However, three officers went back to Thailand early this year to help the Royal Thai Police complete the identification process.
The AFP’s work in assisting Thailand’s recovery will continue until the international effort ends some time this year.
The plight of those affected by the Tsunami is not forgotten and for those who helped in the relief effort, it is comforting to see that despite the devastation, there is recovery and life continues.
