Little Girl Swept Away in Indonesia's Massive Tsunami 10 years Ago; Now Reunited with Her Family

Aimee Herd : Aug 11, 2014
Abby Phillip – Washington Post

"This is a miracle from God."

They say the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was the deadliest "since the Renaissance Age," as it took over 275,000 lives on that December day after Christmas. (Photo: EPA/Achwa Nussa/via Washington Post)

Raudhatul Jannah was only 4 back then, living with her family in Meulaboh, Aceh, Indonesia.

When the giant waves engulfed the area, they also swept away little Raudhatul and her 7-year-old brother, Arif Pratama, from the arms of their father.

However, now, nearly 10 years after that horrific day, Raudhatul has been reunited with her family.

It seems the water had swept her onto the remote Banyak Island, and a fisherman rescued her, bringing her to the mainland. His mother cared for her for the next 10 years, calling her by the name of Wenni. (Photo via CNN.com)

But in June, this year, Raudhatul's uncle saw the girl, and thinking she resembled his lost niece, he inquired and found out she'd been found on Banyak Island following the tsunami.

"My husband and I are very happy we have found her. This is a miracle from God," Raudhatul's mother, Jamaliah, told DPA.

The family now believes Raudhatul's brother is also alive, and is planning to search for him on the same island from which his sister was rescued.