Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on the Maldives

In the independent republic of Maldives, all islands except for 9 were hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

82 people were killed and 24 reported missing and presumed dead after the archipelago was hit by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004.

Outlying low-level atolls were badly affected, and some low-lying islands, including some of the major resorts, were submerged at the peak of the tsunami.

The government declared a state of national disaster[2] and a special task force was set up to provide aid and supplies.

Rescue efforts were hampered by loss of communication capability with the over one thousand islands that compose the nation, as well as by the lack of disaster planning.