The family’s Christmas celebration in Thailand ended in tragedy: “The wounds will always remain”
Today, 20 years have passed since the devastating tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. It has been noted with memorial moments around the world – including at Djurgården in Stockholm, where relatives lit candles for those who did not make it home. One of those who was there is Samuel Schött, who lost both his parents in the flood.
543 marshals – one for every Swede who lost their life in the tidal wave on Boxing Day 2004. Two decades have passed but the huge wall of water is still fresh in the memories of many.
– Personally, this is a hard day when you lose parents. But it has also been a very nice day in the community, says Samuel Schött.
Relatives and survivors have gathered at the memorial on Djurgården in Stockholm. The grass-covered ramparts go in a spiral towards the center where flowers and candles have been placed. Among other things, the names of Samuel Schött’s parents are engraved here. He was 13 when the family’s Christmas celebration in Thailand ended in tragedy. Only Samuel and his brother came home alive.
“Like riding around in a washing machine”
– I remember that we were out on the beach and that the water receded. Then I just hear that the wave is coming. It completely turns the corner for me. You don’t know if you’ll come up and get some air. It’s like riding around in a washing machine. At the same time, you have no idea where you are or if this is the last time you will see life.
Finally, Samuel managed to cling to a palm tree – which was his salvation. But his mother and father did not make it
– Although they are not with me physically, they are with me.
It has been two decades now. Have the wounds healed?
– The wounds will always remain. You learn to live with them. With the support of relatives on site here or relatives in general or relatives and friends, you have been able to get through it. But this is an event that will live with us all the years, that is, throughout life.