Flashback 2014: Pak school attack, plane disappearances -- tragedies that marked the year

New Delhi, Dec 31: The year 2014 drew to a close with twin tragedies. A suicide attack at an Army-run school in Pakistan by Taliban militants claimed the lives of over 140 people, mostly children.

An Air Asia flight carrying 162 people was recovered in the Java Sea off Indonesia. Earlier in the year, a Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared with no trace.

Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel Prize winner when she was recognised for her efforts in securing education to all children. Meanwhile, extremist group Boko Haram, who are against educating girls, abducted female students from a school in Nigeria.

In Hong Kong, protesters took to the streets demanding that Beijing allow democratic elections for the 2017 election for Hong Kong Chief Executive.

Ebola virus struck in Africa killing thousands and spread to other countries including isolated cases in India. Afghanistan held a presidential election, Italy took over the EU presidency and Russia annexed Crimea.

Two Indians were caught up in a hostage situation in Australia. Following is the diary of international events.

PTI