As the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami approaches, supermodel Petra Nemcova courageously shared her experiences, emphasizing that discussing her survival remains a challenging endeavor. On December 26, 2004, Nemcova narrowly escaped death while vacationing in Thailand, clinging to a palm tree for eight hours until she was rescued. Amid her reflections, she stated, ‘I almost died, and I don’t think it’s going to ever go away.’ This poignant anniversary has also witnessed numerous memorials across Asia, honoring the nearly 230,000 lives lost, with people gathering to pay tribute at sites affected by the tragedy, including close to 30,000 who died in Thailand. Nemcova has continued to raise awareness regarding disaster preparedness and resilience through her work, emphasizing the need to remember not just the tragedy, but also to focus on recovery and rebuilding the lives of survivors. As events unfold commemorating this significant date, she expresses gratitude for the opportunities she has to inspire others and urges individuals, especially in difficult times, to cherish life and remain resilient.
Supermodel Petra Nemcova Reflects on Tsunami Survival as 20th Anniversary Approaches
