Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu), Dec.26 (ANI): Silent prayers were held and survivors and relatives of Tsunami victims on the occasion of its fifth anniversary paid floral tributes to the souls of the deceased, who fell victim to Tsunami on Dec.26, 2004.

Over 12,400 people died during the tsunami five years ago.

On Saturday, fishermen stayed away from the sea as a sign of mourning for tsunami’s victims.

In Nagapattinam, the worst hit town in south India where 6,065 people died, orphaned children laid floral wreaths in honour of their parents who were killed when the waves slammed into the shores.

A massive undersea earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra triggered the giant waves, which hit as far west as Africa, and pounded shorelines in Asia with ferocious speed and power.

At the Nagapattinam memorial, Kanimozhi, daughter of State Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, paid her respects and said while efforts had been taken to rehabilitate the affected areas, there is still more to be done.

“I think we still have a long way to go and memories are still fresh and painful,” Kanimozhi said.

Many of the children had moist eyes as they remembered the loved ones.

Vanita, 12, who lost her parents to the tsunami said, “I have come to pay homage to all those who died in the tsunami, it is the 5th anniversary today.”

Similar prayer meetings and memorial ceremonies were held in other affected States. (ANI)