Boxing Day 2024 marks 20 years since the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean when nearly 230,000 people died, of which 543 were Swedes. At 4 p.m., a national memorial service was held in Uppsala Cathedral for the victims of the natural disaster.
— For some, it has been a long time and the light has come back into life. Others wake up every day anew with the memories of December 26, 2004. Not everyone around them can or is able to understand, said Martin ModeusArchbishop of the Church of Sweden, who led the memorial service.
Archbishop Martin Modéus of the Church of Sweden led the Monday afternoon memorial service for the tsunami victims. King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia lit candles
Among others present were survivors, relatives, the royal couple, and the prime minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and the Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlen (M). The ceremony included both hymns and speeches.
King Carl XVI Gustaf gave a famous speech for the tsunami victims at a ceremony in 2005. During the commemoration service on Boxing Day, he did not stand in the pulpit, but instead was one of those who lit candles in memory of the victims along with Queen Silvia.
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