Tamil Nadu remembers tsunami victims

Floral tributes and processions marked the tenth anniversary of tsunami in the coastal areas of Nagapattinam district on Friday.

People observed a minute's silence to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami.

State Fisheries Minister KA Jayapal, District Collector T Munusamy, Nagapattinam MP Dr K Gopal and other officials led the silent marches, candle processions besides paying floral tributes.

Floral tributes were paid at the tsunami memorial park. Inmates of Annai Sathya Home for tsunami orphans also participated in the events.

At Velankanni, a special mass was conducted at the Shrine Basillica in memory of the tsunami victims. A silent procession was also held. All the shops at Velankanni remained closed as a mark of respect to the victims.

At Nagore, tributes were paid to those who were buried in the land owned by the Dargah and at Tarangambadi, town panchayat president Krishnaswamy others paid floral tributes.

All religion prayer was also held.

In all the 72 tsunami-hit hamlets, people were seen paying homage to the departed souls and many were seen sobbing.

Banners and hoardings containing the photos of the victims had been erected at many places.

Fishermen did not venture into the sea today.

Hundreds of fishermen from 12 villages ravaged by the tsunami at Karaikal in the Union Territory of Puducherry took out silent processions and placed wreaths and lit candles at the memorial sites.

In fishing hamlets such as Pattinacherry, Karaikalmedu and Kottucherrymedu, people hoisted black flags in memory of the departed souls.