National Geographic Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Deadliest Tsunami Ever Recorded With Powerful Documentary Series Tsunami: Race Against Time

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oct. 16, 2024) – Marking 20 years since one of the deadliest natural disasters in history, National Geographic will premiere TSUNAMI: RACE AGAINST TIME, a four-part documentary series providing a 360-degree view into the heart-stopping events of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that took over 225,000 lives.

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From executive producers Tanya Winston and Danny Horan of multiple award-winning Blast Films and directed by Daniel Bogado, Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker of Nat Geo’s “9/11: One Day In America,” the series weaves newly discovered footage with never-before-heard personal accounts from survivors, scientists, journalists and fearless rescuers who were all witnesses to the tragic event. TSUNAMI: RACE AGAINST TIME premieres across two nights, beginning Nov. 24 at 9/8c on National Geographic with two back-to-back episodes. All episodes will stream Nov. 25 on Disney+ and Hulu.

Three years in the making, producers unearthed approximately 300 hours of archival footage, including many never-before-seen moments, from around the world and conducted interviews with over 100 individuals, some speaking on the record for the first time about their experience. As a result of this massive effort by the filmmaking team, TSUNAMI: RACE AGAINST TIME tells a definitive story of the devastating events of Dec. 26, 2004.

The series not only offers a comprehensive exploration of the tsunami’s impact as it surged, leaving a deadly trail throughout 14 countries, but also shines a light on the remarkable acts of bravery and sacrifice throughout the disaster. It weaves together compelling stories of survival and heroism, featuring scientists who raced against time to understand and warn the world, journalists who uncovered the shocking reality, fearless rescuers who risked their lives to save others, and survivors who faced the unimaginable.

In addition to expertly connecting archival footage with first-person testimony, TSUNAMI: RACE AGAINST TIME used billions of raw data points provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a high-resolution, moving simulation seen throughout each episode. They also worked in careful collaboration with scientists, local experts and survivors to establish timings for the arrival and spread of successive tsunami waves on the day across multiple affected coastlines.

“TSUNAMI: RACE AGAINST TIME is a visceral, sensitive and gripping retelling of the terrible events of the Boxing Day tsunami. I’m immensely proud of the lengths the production team went to find never-before-seen archives, interview people who have never spoken before, and the great care with which they tell their stories,” said Tom McDonald, EVP of Global Factual and Unscripted, National Geographic. “National Geographic is the storyteller of record for historic events of global significance, and following our award-winning series on 9/11 and the assassination of JFK, this series cements our commitment to telling these stories in new and surprising ways.”

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Episodes of the new series include the following:

• “The Wave”

Premieres Nov. 24 at 9/8c on Nat Geo; Streams Nov. 25 on Disney+ and Hulu
A massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean sets off a tsunami that, within minutes, arrives in the bustling city of Aceh, causing unprecedented havoc and devastation. This film follows the desperate struggle to survive of city-dwellers in Indonesia and tourists in Thailand caught in the unfolding catastrophe, as well as the scientists working against the clock to warn the world.

• “Thailand”

Premieres Nov. 24 at 10/9c on Nat Geo; Streams Nov. 25 on Disney+ and Hulu
After a massive earthquake triggered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history, multiple waves hit Thailand. As the beaches of popular resorts are pummeled by unstoppable torrents of water, locals and tourists work together to save lives. In the chaotic aftermath, survivors separated by the waves desperately search for their loved ones.

• “Breaking News”

Premieres Nov. 25 at 9/8c on Nat Geo; Streams Nov. 25 on Disney+ and Hulu
The tsunami hits Sri Lanka. A 1000 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, waves wreck a train and destroy coastal cities. Doctors fight to save every life they can. As disaster spreads across the entire Indian Ocean, journalists race to break the news to the world, and people wake up to the devastating reality that their loved ones have been swept away.

• “Rescue”

Premieres Nov. 25 at 10/9c on Nat Geo; Streams Nov. 25 on Disney+ and Hulu
In the aftermath of the deadliest tsunami in history, tourists become stranded on an island devastated by the force of the waves. With hundreds of casualties, survivors from around the world must work together to save lives. Against all odds, they manage to pull off some of the most miraculous rescues of the day. But as the water recedes, the true scale of the global calamity becomes clear.

TSUNAMI: RACE AGAINST TIME is produced by Blast Films Limited for National Geographic. Executive producers for Blast Films are Tanya Winston, Danny Horan and Daniel Bogado, who also directs three episodes, and James Parris serves as series producer and directs the third episode. For National Geographic, Carolyn Payne executive produces.

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About National Geographic Content
Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. The brand is the largest on social media with over three quarters of a billion followers across all major platforms that generate over one billion impressions each month. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, National Geographic Content reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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