Miquita Oliver relives ‘horrendous’ and ‘earth shattering’ Boxing Day tsunami

Approximately 230,000 people lost their lives in the disaster which devastated coastal areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and Thailand and among those caught up in the horror and chaos were T4 presenter Miquita Oliver and her on screen partner Simon Amstell

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Heartbreaking aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Indonesia

Miquita Oliver has bravely relived being involved in the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.

The Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tsunami lasted for seven hours and devastating coastal areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and Thailand, and as far away as East Africa.

Approximately 230,000 people lost their lives in the disaster and among those caught up in the horror and chaos were T4 presenter Miquita Oliver and her on screen partner Simon Amstell.

The duo were on holiday together in Thailand, having remained close since the series ended.

When the tsunami hit, Miquita got separated from her long-time pal and tragically both believed one another to be dead when they couldn’t find each other.

Miquita, 38, told OK! of her heartbreak as she searched for her friend amongst the devastation.

“It was horrendous, a really earth shattering, terrifying thing,” she told the publication.

Once the pair found one another they spent the day sitting on top of a hill, afraid another wave would come along.

“It was kind of a blessing to be with Simon but also not, because he definitely wanted to make jokes far too early afterwards,” she adds.

Miquita says she told Simon: “Dude, we just got out of a natural disaster.”

Miquita’s near-death-experience gave her a new perspective on life.

She practices Buddhism and describes herself as “a bit of a hippy”.

“It was a surreal experience I’ll always remember and feel very grateful I survived,” she said.

Miquita is still very close with Simon, and she revealed they share a strong bond, even after all these years.

“He’s a very, very important person in my life,” she said, but cast doubt on the possibility of a telly reunion.

Despite their hilarious on screen rapport, Miquita said Simon’s not keen on reliving their glory days.

She explained: “Simon will not work with me again. I don’t know why. He’s like, ‘It was brilliant. Let’s just leave it there’. And I’m like, ‘Yeah… but we were so good’.”

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