January 25

On January 25, 1348, a strong earthquake shook the South Alpine region of Friuli in present-day Italy. The tremor collapsed buildings, churches, and defensive walls across local towns, leaving many inhabitants homeless. Shockwaves were felt over 300 kilometers away, with reports of cracked walls in Rome. The disaster compounded the hardships of a Europe already suffering from famine and plague. Contemporary accounts describe widespread fear and the arduous process of reconstruction that followed.

On January 25, 1917, the White Star Line ocean liner Laurentic hit two German naval mines near Lough Swilly, Ireland. The ship, repurposed as an armed merchant cruiser during World War I, was en route from Canada to the British Isles. Despite taking on water rapidly, the crew managed to rescue most of the 475 passengers and crew aboard. More than 350 lives were lost, and the wreck settled in waters over 300 feet deep. Salvage operations in the 1920s recovered hundreds of gold bars from the ship’s strong room. The Laurentic disaster highlighted the perils of maritime warfare and minefields.

On January 25, 1990, Avianca Flight 052 from Bogotá to New York crashed in Cove Neck on Long Island after the aircraft ran out of fuel. The flight had been delayed by weather and congested air traffic, forcing it into extended holding patterns. Investigators later determined that miscommunications between the crew and air traffic control led to an underestimation of the fuel emergency. Of the 158 people aboard, 73 lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the U.S. at that time. Rescue operations faced challenges due to the remote crash site and harsh winter conditions. The accident prompted reforms in aviation communication protocols and fuel management procedures. Victims’ families and industry experts advocated for improved safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.

On January 25, 1999, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook western Colombia, with its epicenter near the town of Pueblo Nuevo. The powerful tremor destroyed thousands of homes and triggered landslides that buried entire villages. Official reports confirmed at least 1,000 deaths and thousands more injuries. Rescue operations were hampered by damaged roads and aftershocks. The quake underscored Colombia’s vulnerability to seismic activity and prompted calls for improved building standards and emergency preparedness.

On January 25, 2005, a stampede broke out at the Mandhradevi Temple near Satara in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Pilgrims gathered for a religious festival were caught in a sudden crush as crowd control measures failed. The tragedy resulted in at least 258 deaths and left scores injured. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of panic and confusion amid narrow temple pathways. The disaster prompted government inquiries and calls for improved safety protocols at large religious gatherings.

On January 25, 2010, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 failed to gain altitude after takeoff from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. The Boeing 737 plunged into the Mediterranean Sea off Na'ameh, Lebanon, killing all 90 passengers and crew. Investigators attributed the crash to pilot disorientation and technical issues in poor weather conditions. The tragedy prompted changes in regional aviation safety practices. Memorials were held in several countries to honor the victims.

On January 25, 2019, a tailings dam at an iron ore mine in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil, catastrophically failed. A massive wave of mining waste surged through the mine complex and surrounding communities. Rescue teams scrambled to locate survivors as toxic sludge engulfed homes and infrastructure. The disaster claimed the lives of 270 people, including mine workers and bystanders. Months later, many victims remained missing or unaccounted for. Investigations uncovered critical structural flaws and neglected safety inspections at the dam. The tragedy prompted global calls for stricter oversight and reforms in the mining industry.