1940day.year
Five people are killed in an arson attack on the offices of the communist newspaper Flamman in Luleå, Sweden.
An arson attack on the offices of the communist newspaper Flamman in Luleå, Sweden kills five people.
On March 3, 1940, unknown assailants set fire to the premises of the communist newspaper Flamman in Luleå, Sweden.
The blaze broke out during the night, catching staff and visitors off guard.
Five people lost their lives in the attack, which shocked the local community.
Authorities launched a thorough investigation amid concerns over political violence.
The tragedy spurred debates on press freedom and the safety of ideological organizations.
Memorial events later honored the victims and called for nonviolent discourse.
1940
communist
Flamman
Luleå
1943day.year
World War II: In London, 173 people are killed in a crush while trying to enter an air-raid shelter at Bethnal Green tube station.
A panic at Bethnal Green tube station during an air-raid warning results in 173 deaths in London.
On March 3, 1943, civilians in London rushed to enter Bethnal Green tube station as a German air raid warning siren sounded.
Poor lighting and a steep staircase led to a tragic crowd crush.
One hundred seventy-three people, many of them women and children, were killed in the stampede.
Military censorship initially suppressed details to maintain morale on the home front.
An inquiry prompted improved shelter design and crowd control measures.
The disaster remains one of the deadliest civilian accidents in wartime Britain.
1943
Bethnal Green tube station
1944day.year
A freight train carrying stowaway passengers stalls in a tunnel shortly after departing from Balvano, Basilicata, Italy just after midnight, with 517 dying from carbon monoxide poisoning.
A stalled freight train in the Balvano tunnel leads to 517 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning during World War II Italy.
On March 3, 1944, a freight train overloaded with stowaways stalled inside the Balvano tunnel in southern Italy.
The steam locomotive continued to burn coal, filling the tunnel with toxic exhaust fumes.
Desperate passengers succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning in the darkness.
Five hundred seventeen people, many fleeing wartime hardship, lost their lives.
Wartime censorship delayed public awareness of the tragedy.
Postwar investigations led to reforms in tunnel ventilation and transport regulations.
stowaway passengers
stalls in a tunnel
Balvano
Basilicata
carbon monoxide poisoning
1953day.year
A De Havilland Comet (Canadian Pacific Air Lines) crashes in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 11 people.
A De Havilland Comet operated by Canadian Pacific Air Lines crashed in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 11 people.
On March 3, 1953, a De Havilland Comet jet airliner of Canadian Pacific Air Lines crashed shortly after takeoff from Karachi, marking one of the early fatal incidents involving the world's first commercial jet. Investigators determined that a mechanical malfunction led to loss of control, though the exact cause was never fully resolved. The tragedy claimed the lives of all 11 people on board and drew global attention to jet airliner safety. As the Comet was pioneering jet-powered travel, airlines and regulators initiated stricter maintenance protocols. The accident ultimately contributed to improvements in aircraft design and operational standards across the burgeoning commercial jet industry.
1953
De Havilland Comet
Canadian Pacific Air Lines
Karachi
1972day.year
Mohawk Airlines Flight 405 crashes as a result of a control malfunction and insufficient training in emergency procedures.
Mohawk Airlines Flight 405 crashed due to a control malfunction and insufficient emergency training.
On March 3, 1972, Mohawk Airlines Flight 405 encountered a control malfunction during its approach to Albany, New York. The pilots struggled to manage the unexpected behavior and lacked sufficient emergency procedure training to correct the fault. The aircraft crashed short of the runway, resulting in several fatalities and raising concerns about crew preparedness. The incident prompted civil aviation authorities to review training standards for regional carriers. Enhanced emergency training protocols were subsequently implemented to improve in-flight response and safety.
1972
Mohawk Airlines Flight 405
1974day.year
Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashes at Ermenonville near Paris, France killing all 346 aboard.
Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed near Paris, killing all 346 people on board.
On March 3, 1974, Turkish Airlines Flight 981, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, suffered a catastrophic cargo door failure shortly after departing Orly Airport near Paris. The explosive decompression led to loss of control and the aircraft crashed in the Ermenonville forest. All 346 passengers and crew members perished, making it the deadliest single-plane crash at the time. Investigators traced the cause to a design flaw in the cargo door locking mechanism. This disaster drove significant design modifications to improve door integrity and influenced future aviation safety regulations.
1974
Turkish Airlines Flight 981
Ermenonville
1985day.year
A magnitude 8.3 earthquake strikes the Valparaíso Region of Chile, killing 177 and leaving nearly a million people homeless.
An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck Chile's Valparaíso Region, killing 177 and leaving nearly a million homeless.
On March 3, 1985, a powerful magnitude 8.3 earthquake devastated the Valparaíso Region of central Chile. The tremor destroyed thousands of homes, caused widespread landslides, and left nearly a million residents homeless. Emergency response teams faced challenges due to damaged infrastructure and disrupted communications. Chile's government and international aid organizations mobilized resources to provide shelter, medical care, and rebuilding assistance. The disaster underscored the importance of seismic-resistant construction in the earthquake-prone Pacific Ring of Fire.
1985
magnitude 8.3 earthquake
Valparaíso Region
Chile
1991day.year
United Airlines Flight 585 crashes on its final approach to Colorado Springs killing everyone on board.
United Airlines Flight 585 crashed on approach to Colorado Springs, killing everyone on board.
On March 3, 1991, United Airlines Flight 585 suffered a sudden control failure on its final approach to Colorado Springs. The aircraft plunged uncontrollably and crashed near the airport. All passengers and crew on board lost their lives, marking one of the early fatal accidents for the Boeing 737 series. The subsequent investigation examined rudder control systems but initially left the exact cause undetermined. Findings eventually prompted Boeing and regulators to redesign rudder components and enhance pilot training to address control anomalies.
United Airlines Flight 585
Colorado Springs
2013day.year
A bomb blast in Karachi, Pakistan, kills at least 48 people and injured 200 others in a predominantly Shia Muslim area.
In 2013, a devastating bomb blast in a Shia neighborhood of Karachi killed dozens and injured hundreds, highlighting sectarian violence in Pakistan.
On March 3, 2013, a powerful bomb detonated in a crowded Shia Muslim district of Karachi, claiming the lives of at least 48 people and wounding over 200. The explosion occurred near a busy market, sending shockwaves through the local community. Sectarian tensions have long plagued Karachi, and this attack intensified fears among minority groups. Emergency teams and security forces rushed to the scene, transporting victims to nearby hospitals and securing the area. The bombing drew widespread condemnation from Pakistani leaders and international observers. It prompted calls for stronger measures to combat extremist violence and protect vulnerable communities. Investigations focused on identifying the perpetrators, though attributing responsibility proved challenging amid a web of militant groups.
2013
bomb blast
Karachi
Shia Muslim