Elisabet Lann's Harrowing Tsunami Survival Story and Its Impact on Her Political Career

Newly appointed Minister Elisabet Lann (Christian Democrats) made a dramatic entry into national politics, but it pales in comparison to the most traumatic event of her life. Twenty years ago, she lost her younger sister in the tsunami and narrowly escaped death herself. She has previously described how she prepared for the end of her life: "I let go and decided to stop fighting."

Last Christmas marked 20 years since the Southeast Asian tsunami, which claimed the lives of 543 Swedes. Elisabet Lann, formerly active in Gothenburg politics and now the new Minister of Health since Tuesday, succeeding Acko Ankarberg Johansson, shared her experiences of the event.

The tragedy left deep scars on her and many other Swedes. "I will never forget. I still think about it almost every day," she wrote on Facebook last year.

In an interview with Expressen, she elaborates on her thoughts about the 2004 event.

"Marked for Life"

"It was truly a disaster that hit many countries hard, where many lost loved ones. It's something that marks you for life in some way and something that often comes to mind," she says, adding:

"But at the same time, 20 years have passed. So it has become a fairly natural part of me."

In the post, Elisabet Lann describes how she was overwhelmed by the monstrous wave, and her husband turned back to save her.

"Would I have survived if he had run away from me instead? And would we be where we are today – together with three wonderful children 20 years later?"

They fought for their lives. The water masses threw the couple several meters into the air.

"Then I tumbled around, around, around in the brown water for a long time. My body felt like a rag doll as it hit stones, trees, and broken debris. 'Doesn't it feel worse than this to die?!' I thought and felt myself letting go and deciding to stop fighting. Fear turned to calm, and I accepted that life was over."

In retrospect, Elisabet Lann says the event has made her less afraid of dying.

"Even though it was an incredibly tragic event and a great sorrow, it has taught me more about humanity and compassion."

Minister's Younger Sister Died

Elisabet Lann and her husband were injured in the disaster but survived, as did three other family members. Left in Thailand was Lann's younger sister Mickan, who was in another part of the country when the tsunami struck.

In February 2005, the family's hope that she would be found alive was extinguished. She had been identified through dental records.

"Before we knew if she had survived or perished, the wait was very painful. But otherwise, I think it's always an immense sorrow that you carry with you, losing a close relative," says Lann.

In the post, the new Minister of Health also writes about the warmth and solidarity shown to those affected during the crisis, but also about negative experiences of "correctness and routines" that stood in the way of help.

Criticism of the Response

Sweden's handling of the tsunami, which occurred when Göran Persson (Social Democrats) was Prime Minister, has been reviewed several times and criticized for inadequate crisis management and poor preparedness. Many of those affected have, over the years, reported significant shortcomings in the Swedish response and uncomprehending authorities.

What Elisabet Lann experienced then, she believes, benefits her today in politics.

"You must not be blinded by regulations and always remember who you are there for. Keep your eyes on people who are suffering and caught in the middle and don't leave them. Regulations and routines serve a purpose, but when they stand in the way and disrupt, you need to reconsider them and not let them become an end in themselves."

Elisabet Lann drew significant attention on her first day in government when she fainted at a press conference with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate Party).