February 18

On February 18, 1977, during Chinese New Year celebrations at the Xinjiang 61st Regiment Farm, a stray firecracker ignited memorial wreaths honoring the late Chairman Mao Zedong. The blaze rapidly spread through the barracks, fueled by additional fireworks stored nearby. By the time the fire was extinguished, 694 individuals had perished, making it the deadliest fireworks accident in history. The tragedy led to nationwide scrutiny of fireworks safety regulations and storage practices. Authorities conducted investigations and implemented stricter controls on pyrotechnics in populated areas. To this day, the Xinjiang farm fire remains a somber reminder of risks associated with large-scale festive fireworks displays.

During the evening rush hour on February 18, 2003, an arsonist ignited flammable liquids inside a parked train on Daegu Metro Line 1. Thick black smoke quickly filled the tunnels and carriages, trapping passengers inside. Emergency responders faced extreme hazards as they attempted to evacuate commuters. Many victims succumbed to smoke inhalation before rescue teams could reach them. The attack prompted a nationwide overhaul of fire safety standards and emergency protocols for public transportation. The Daegu subway fire remains a stark reminder of the vulnerability of urban transit systems to deliberate attacks.

On February 18, 2004, a freight train transporting sulfur, petrol, and fertilizer derailed near Nishapur in northeastern Iran. The cargo ignited, sparking a massive fire that engulfed the rail cars. As firefighters and volunteers rushed to the scene, a catastrophic explosion occurred. The blast and subsequent fire claimed the lives of up to 295 individuals, including 182 rescue workers. Thousands were injured and the surrounding area was devastated. The disaster exposed shortcomings in hazardous material transport regulations and emergency response protocols. It led to stricter safety measures for rail freight operations in Iran.

The flight, operated by Iran Aseman Airlines, took off from Tehran on February 18, 2018, en route to Yasuj in southwestern Iran. Weather conditions were poor, with heavy fog and snow in the Dena sub-range of the Zagros Mountains. Contact was lost shortly before the aircraft was due to land, and search teams discovered the wreckage at an elevation exceeding 4,000 meters. All 66 passengers and crew on board perished in the crash. The incident prompted a thorough investigation by Iranian aviation authorities and raised concerns about the condition of the airline's fleet. Flight 3704 was operated by an ATR 72-212 that had been acquired secondhand, and the tragedy remains one of Iran's deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.