On December 28, 2000, an earthquake struck the Indian state of Gujarat, causing massive destruction in the city of Bhuj. The earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, killed over 20,000 people and injured thousands more. The tremor destroyed thousands of buildings, including schools and hospitals, and left millions homeless. The Indian government, along with international aid organizations, launched a large-scale relief effort. The tragedy led to significant improvements in earthquake preparedness and disaster response in India.