Aceh Tsunami Victim Returns Home After Seven Years Missing

Meulaboh (Antara Bali) - Wati, 15, a resident of Sangkis alley, Ujong Baroh village, Johan Pahlawan sub-district, Aceh Barat district, who went missing following the tsunami in Aceh, on December 26, 2004, has returned to her parents.

According to Wati's grand father Ibrahim here over-the-weekend, Wati went missing in the tsunami in Aceh on December 26, 2004, when she was only still eight years old.

"I am sure that she (Wati) is my grand-child, because her trace is similar to those of my grandchild when the tsunami struck eight years ago," Ibrahim said.

"After the tsunami struck, I was in Aceh Utara and then in Aceh Besar," Ibrahim quoted Wati as saying.

Ibrahim said that Wati arrived at the Meulaboh bus terminal from Banda Aceh, capital of Aceh province on Wednesday (Dec 21).

Wati did not know where she lived prior to the tsunami in Meulaboh until after some local residents guided her to her grand father, Ibrahim.

When the local residents questioned Wati following her arrival at Meulaboh bus terminal, the 15 year-old girl only remembered her grandfather's name as  Ibrahim.

Ibrahim then asked Wati's parents, Yusniar,35 (her mother) and M Yunus,43 (her father) to check whether or not Wati was really their missing daughter.

"Having a mole and a scar above her eyelids, it proved that Wati is my daughter," said Yusniar, adding that Wati's older daughter Yuli survived during the tsunami.

"Actually I have been searching my missing daughter since she went missing following the tsunami, but I am not sure that she is still alive because I lost her when I saved her older sister and younger sister," she added.

The devastating tsunami which was triggered by a major earth quake caused hundred thousands of people killed and went missing.(T007)