January 22

Events - Disasters & Accidents

1906day.year

SS Valencia runs aground on rocks on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, killing more than 130.

On January 22, 1906, the passenger steamer SS Valencia struck rocks off Vancouver Island and sank, resulting in over 130 fatalities in a major maritime disaster.
The SS Valencia, en route from San Francisco to Vancouver, ran aground on Palay Rocks near Cape Beale on Vancouver Island during dense fog. The vessel began taking on water in the frigid winter seas, and chaotic rescue attempts were foiled by stormy weather and rough surf. Lifeboats capsized, and many passengers struggled to reach the rocky shoreline in life-threatening conditions. More than 130 crew members and travelers lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest shipwrecks in Pacific Northwest history. The tragedy spurred the Canadian government to enhance coastal lighthouses, establish life-saving stations, and enforce stricter maritime safety protocols. Today, the wreck of the Valencia lies submerged in international waters, remembered as a somber chapter in early 20th-century seafaring.
1906 SS Valencia Vancouver Island British Columbia
1915day.year

Over 600 people are killed in Guadalajara, Mexico, when a train plunges off the tracks into a deep canyon.

On January 22, 1915, an overcrowded passenger train derailed and fell into a deep canyon near Guadalajara, Mexico, killing over 600 people in the country's deadliest rail accident.
In the early hours of January 22, 1915, an overloaded train en route to Guadalajara crossed a weakened trestle that collapsed under its weight. The carriages plunged into a deep ravine in the mountainous terrain outside the city, wreaking devastation among passengers. Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location and severe weather, delaying aid to those injured and trapped. Over 600 people perished in the crash, making it the most catastrophic railway disaster in Mexico's history. The government responded by implementing stricter safety regulations, reinforcing bridge construction standards, and improving railway inspections. Memorials near the site honor the victims, serving as a poignant reminder of the dangers of early rail travel.
1915 Guadalajara plunges off the tracks
1973day.year

A chartered Boeing 707 explodes in flames upon landing at Kano Airport, Nigeria, killing 176.

A chartered Boeing 707 explodes upon landing at Kano Airport, resulting in the tragic death of 176 people.
On January 22, 1973, a chartered Boeing 707 crashes and explodes upon landing at Kano Airport in Nigeria. The aircraft bursts into flames on touchdown, trapping passengers and crew amid intense heat and smoke. Rapidly spreading fire and runway damage hinder rescue operations. Out of those on board, 176 lose their lives, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Nigerian history. An investigation cites possible mechanical failure and challenging runway conditions as factors. The tragedy prompts reviews of safety protocols and airport infrastructure across the region.
Boeing 707 explodes in flames Kano Airport Nigeria