1864day.year
The Great Sheffield Flood kills 238 people in Sheffield, England.
The Great Sheffield Flood devastates the city of Sheffield, killing 238 people.
In the early hours of March 11, 1864, the Dale Dyke Dam above Sheffield burst, unleashing millions of tons of water into the valley below.
A massive surge swept through Sheffield and nearby communities, destroying homes, factories, and bridges.
Steam-powered rescue teams battled debris-filled currents to save survivors, but 238 people lost their lives.
The disaster shocked Victorian Britain and highlighted the need for rigorous dam safety regulations.
Subsequent investigations led to reforms in reservoir engineering and inspection practices across the country.
Memorials and plaques in Sheffield honor the victims and remind residents of the flood’s enduring impact.
1864
Great Sheffield Flood
Sheffield
1888day.year
The Great Blizzard of 1888 begins along the eastern seaboard of the United States, shutting down commerce and killing more than 400 people.
The Great Blizzard of 1888 paralyzes the US East Coast, killing over 400 people and halting all commerce.
Beginning on March 11, 1888, a historic blizzard swept across the northeastern United States with unprecedented intensity.
Railways, telegraph lines, and city streets were buried under snowdrifts that reached over 30 feet in some areas.
Communication and transportation ground to a halt as wind gusts exceeded hurricane force along the coast.
Rescue operations were hampered by whiteout conditions, and more than 400 lives were lost to exposure and accidents.
The catastrophe spurred major urban improvements, including the development of underground transit and utilities.
The 1888 blizzard remains one of the deadliest and most transformative storms in American history.
1888
Great Blizzard of 1888
1982day.year
Fifteen people are killed when Widerøe Flight 933 crashes into the Barents Sea near Gamvik, Norway.
Widerøe Flight 933 crashed into the Barents Sea near Gamvik in 1982, killing all 15 people aboard.
Widerøe Flight 933, a domestic commuter flight in Norway, crashed into the Barents Sea on March 11, 1982.
The flight, en route from Bergen to Kirkenes with stops including Gamvik, encountered severe weather and navigational challenges.
All fifteen passengers and crew members perished in the accident, making it one of Norway's deadliest aviation incidents.
Rescue operations were hampered by rough seas and poor visibility, delaying recovery of the wreckage.
Investigations pointed to pilot disorientation and possibly technical issues, prompting safety reviews in the aviation industry.
The tragedy spurred improvements in flight procedures and navigational aids for northern routes.
1982
Widerøe Flight 933
Barents Sea
Gamvik
2004day.year
Madrid train bombings: Simultaneous explosions on rush hour trains in Madrid, Spain kill 191 people.
On March 11, 2004, simultaneous bomb explosions struck commuter trains in Madrid during rush hour, killing 191 people and wounding over 2,000.
During the morning commute, ten backpack bombs detonated on four suburban trains across Madrid, plunging carriages into chaos and panic. The coordinated attack killed 191 civilians and injured more than 2,000, many suffering life-altering wounds. Investigations revealed that Islamist extremists carried out the bombings in retaliation for Spain's involvement in the Iraq War. The tragedy occurred just days before Spain's general elections, fueling public outrage and influencing the vote. Emergency responders and hospitals worked around the clock to treat survivors amid widespread grief. The bombings prompted Spain and other European nations to bolster security on public transportation and enhance intelligence sharing. Over time, memorials and survivor networks emerged to honor the victims and support those affected by the attack.
2004
Madrid train bombings
Madrid
2009day.year
Winnenden school shooting: Fifteen are killed and nine are injured before recent graduate Tim Kretschmer shoots and kills himself, leading to tightened weapons restrictions in Germany.
On March 11, 2009, a mass shooting at a school in Winnenden, Germany, resulted in the deaths of fifteen people, including students and staff.
A 17-year-old recent graduate, Tim Kretschmer, entered his former school armed with a handgun and opened fire, killing twelve students and a teacher. He then fled in a stolen car, continuing his rampage through nearby towns before shooting himself when confronted by police. The tragedy unfolded over nearly an hour and shocked a nation unaccustomed to such violence. In its aftermath, Germany tightened gun control laws and introduced stricter background checks for firearm ownership. The shooting sparked a national conversation on youth mental health, school security, and the influence of violent media. Memorial services and support programs were established for families and survivors. The Winnenden attack remains one of the deadliest school shootings in German history.
2009
Winnenden school shooting
2010day.year
Economist and businessman Sebastián Piñera is sworn in as President of Chile. Aftershocks of the 2010 Pichilemu earthquakes hit central Chile during the ceremony.
On March 11, 2010, Sebastián Piñera was sworn in as President of Chile amid aftershocks from the recent Pichilemu earthquakes.
Economist and businessman Sebastián Piñera took office at the National Congress in Valparaíso after winning the presidential election. During the ceremony, aftershocks from the powerful Pichilemu earthquakes rattled central Chile, underscoring the region's seismic volatility. Piñera pledged to lead reconstruction efforts, bolster disaster preparedness, and promote economic growth. His administration faced the challenge of rebuilding communities while implementing social and infrastructure reforms. Under his leadership, Chile would be commended for its swift recovery and resilient building standards. Piñera's presidency marked a shift from center-left governance and sparked debates over economic policy and social welfare. The unique circumstances of his inauguration highlighted the intersection of political transition and natural hazard management.
2010
Sebastián Piñera
President of Chile
2010 Pichilemu earthquakes
2011day.year
An earthquake measuring 9.0 in magnitude strikes 130 km (81 mi) east of Sendai, Japan, triggering a tsunami killing thousands of people. This event also triggered the second largest nuclear accident in history, and one of only two events to be classified as a Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off Japan’s east coast, triggering a catastrophic tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear accident.
The undersea megathrust earthquake occurred 130 km east of Sendai, generating massive tsunami waves that swept across northeastern Japan. The accompanying tsunami inundated coastal towns, devastated infrastructure, and claimed over 15,000 lives while leaving thousands missing. At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, cooling systems failed, leading to multiple reactor meltdowns and the release of radioactive materials. Authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents, creating one of the largest displacement crises in modern history. The disaster prompted a global reassessment of nuclear safety standards and emergency preparedness protocols. Japan launched an extensive recovery and decontamination campaign, rebuilding communities with improved flood defenses and seismic-resistant designs. The 2011 Tōhoku catastrophe remains a stark reminder of the interconnected risks of natural and technological disasters.
2011
earthquake
Sendai
tsunami
second largest nuclear accident
International Nuclear Event Scale
2018day.year
A Bombardier Challenger 604 crashes into the Zagros Mountains near the Iranian city of Shar-e-kord, killing all 11 people on board.
A Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet crashes into Iran's Zagros Mountains near Shahrekord, killing all 11 people aboard.
On March 11, 2018, a Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet collided with rugged terrain in the Zagros Mountains near Shahrekord, Iran.
The aircraft, carrying 11 passengers and crew, crashed under unclear circumstances, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue operation.
All 11 people on board tragically lost their lives, marking one of Iran's deadliest civil aviation accidents in recent years.
Iranian authorities launched an investigation to determine if mechanical failure, pilot error, or adverse weather conditions contributed to the disaster.
The remote mountainous crash site posed significant challenges to recovery teams working in harsh terrain.
The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about flight safety standards and aircraft maintenance procedures in the region.
2018
Bombardier Challenger 604
crashes
Zagros Mountains
Shar-e-kord