Tsunami 2004: Famous names who lost their lives in horrific tragedy 20 years ago
It’s almost been 20 years since the most terrible tsunami of modern times. On 26 December 2004, 230,000 were killed after an earthquake caused a tidal surge that reached speeds of 500 mph. Now, a two-part Channel 4 documentary, Tsunami 2004: The Day the Wave Hit, details the events in Thailand and Sri Lanka – it's on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday, 17 November.
Among the 230,000 that tragically lost their lives were some well known names, including the daughter of Richard Attenborough, British Arts administrator Jane Attenborough. Jane, along with her mother-in-law, Audrey Holland, and Attenborough's 15-year-old granddaughter, Lucy, were killed when the tsunami hit, as they holidayed in Thailand. Jane was 49 when she tragically passed away.
Argentinian photographer Fernando Bengoechea, also sadly passed away during the devastating events. The photographer and partner of Nate Berkus was reported missing, and never found, while the couple were on vacation in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. The couple were swept out of their accommodation, a beachfront hut, by the force of the wave, managed to stay together through the rushing water but were eventually separated.
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Photographer and boyfriend of Petra Němcová, Simon Atlee, unfortunately drowned in the tsunami 20 years ago. His girlfriend, 25-year-old Victoria's Secret model, managed to survive by holding onto a tree for eight hours. She suffered from a broken pelvis and serious internal injuries, and was rescued by Thai civilians and airlifted to an inland hospital nearby. Simon’s body was found almost three months later, in March 2005.
Twenty one year old Thai Prince Khun Poom Jensen was also amongst the fatalities. He was a grandson of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, after whom he was named. He was also a nephew of Vajiralongkorn, the current King of Thailand. Jensen sadly drowned while he and his family were on holiday at the La Flora Resort hotel in Khao Lak. His body was identified the following day.
Swedish reality TV star Kristina Fröjmark, was also amongst those who sadly passed away. Kristina was known her appearance in the show Farmen-Skärgården, where she was one of the twelve contestants who ran a farm in Stockholm archipelago. Kristina, along with her husband Björn and their two children drowned on 26 December 2004 during the tsunami.
Other notable famous faces who sadly lost their lives during the disaster include British journalist, Robert Whymant, 60, Australian Football League player, Troy Broadbridge, 24, Swedish musician Mieszko Talarczyk , 30, Norwegian composer Sigurd Køhn , 45, British policy researcher, Stephen Lissenburgh, 40, Sri Lankan cricketer, Sujeewa Kamalasuriya, 39, and Swedish musician Mieszko Talarczyk, 30.
