How many people died as a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami?

Over 150,000 people died as a result of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, which is the deadliest tsunami as of January 2015. Out of the 150,000 people who perished during the tsunami, it is believed that up to 50,000 were children. Those who were not killed by being slammed into structures or being crushed by debris were likely swept out to sea when the ocean withdrew.

The Indian Ocean tsunami delivered the amount of energy equal to 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs. It reached as far as Africa, which is a distance of 3,000 miles. When the tsunami arrived in Africa, it still had enough energy to destroy property and inflict additional casualties.