March 12

In the early hours of March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam in Los Angeles County catastrophically collapsed. A massive wall of water swept down the San Francisquito Canyon, engulfing communities and farms. The deluge raced toward the Santa Clara River, reaching the Pacific Ocean in under an hour. Rescue efforts were hampered by the sheer force of the floodwaters and the remote terrain. Official reports recorded 431 fatalities, making it the deadliest dam disaster in U.S. history at the time. The tragedy prompted major reforms in dam safety standards, engineering oversight, and state regulation.

On March 12, 1940, two passenger trains collided head-on near the village of Turenki in Janakkala, Finland. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in 39 deaths and injured 69 passengers, making it Finland's deadliest rail accident. Caused by a signaling error and wartime disruptions, the disaster shocked the nation in a period already strained by the Winter War. Rescuers faced challenges from harsh weather and damaged infrastructure, delaying aid to survivors. This tragedy prompted major reforms in Finland's railway safety procedures and communication systems. Memorials in Turenki honor the victims and remind visitors of the importance of rigorous transport safety.

On March 12, 1950, a chartered plane carrying Polish farm laborers and their families crashed on approach to RAF Sigingstone in Wales. Due to engine failure and low visibility, the aircraft stalled and struck trees before bursting into flames. Eighty of the 83 people on board were killed, making it the world's deadliest air crash at that time. Investigators cited pilot error and mechanical issues as contributing factors to the tragedy. The scale of the disaster led to improvements in flight safety protocols and aircraft maintenance standards. Memorial services in Wales and Poland honored the victims, and a monument stands near the crash site.

On March 12, 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant suffered a hydrogen explosion in reactor No. 1. The blast blew out the reactor building's exterior walls and sent a plume of radioactive steam into the air. This occurred one day after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and massive tsunami crippled the plant's cooling systems. Operators scrambled to restore power and inject seawater to cool the overheating reactor cores. The release of radioactivity forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents in Fukushima Prefecture. International concern grew as radioactive contaminants were detected in milk, water, and soil far from the plant. The incident became the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl, prompting safety upgrades and policy shifts worldwide. Decommissioning efforts and cleanup continue decades later, with long-term environmental and health monitoring still underway.

On March 12, 2014, a powerful natural gas explosion tore open an apartment block in East Harlem, New York City. The blast leveled several floors of the building, sending fireballs and debris into the air. Eight people lost their lives, and more than 70 residents and bystanders suffered injuries ranging from burns to fractures. Rescue crews from multiple agencies worked through debris and fires to search for survivors. Investigators later linked the explosion to a fractured gas main beneath the pavement. The incident sparked renewed scrutiny of aging urban infrastructure and gas pipeline safety. Local leaders called for accelerated inspections and repairs to prevent similar tragedies in other neighborhoods. In the aftermath, survivors and families of victims pressed for greater accountability and stricter oversight of utility companies.

On March 12, 2018, US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211 attempted to land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport in heavy rain. The Bombardier Q400 turboprop skidded off the runway and broke into pieces, sparking a fire on impact. Fifty-one people, including passengers and crew, were killed in the chaotic aftermath of the crash. Twenty survivors were pulled from the wreckage by local rescue teams and airport personnel. Investigations pointed to pilot error and poor visibility as key factors contributing to the accident. The terrain and high altitude of Kathmandu's airport are known challenges for flight crews. The tragedy raised concerns over training standards and safety protocols for international carriers operating in Nepal. Airlines worldwide reviewed procedures for landing in adverse weather, while memorials honored those lost in the disaster.