March 21

On the night of March 21, 1788, a great fire swept through New Orleans, then a Spanish colonial town. Strong winds and flammable wooden structures allowed the flames to spread rapidly through the French Quarter. Within hours, nearly 850 buildings were consumed, leaving most residents homeless and the colonial administration in disarray. Spanish authorities organized relief efforts, providing temporary housing and materials for rebuilding. The disaster prompted a new wave of urban planning, leading to the use of brick and tile roofing in reconstruction. This transformation gave New Orleans its distinctive Creole architectural style that endures today. The fire remains one of the worst in the city’s history, underscoring its resilience and adaptability.

On March 21, 1989, Transbrasil Flight 801, a Boeing 707 cargo plane, crashed into a densely populated slum near São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport. The aircraft encountered difficulties soon after takeoff and descended uncontrollably into the Vila Barros settlement. The impact and subsequent fire claimed the lives of all crew members and several residents on the ground, totaling 25 fatalities. Emergency responders faced challenges navigating the narrow streets and rubble to reach survivors. The tragedy highlighted concerns about flight paths over urban areas and the risks posed by rapid city expansion. An investigation examined aircraft maintenance records, pilot decisions, and regulatory oversight. The crash remains one of Brazil’s most devastating aviation accidents, prompting reforms in safety protocols.

On the morning of March 21, 2019, a devastating blast ripped through the Binyu Chemical Plant operated by Sinopec in Xiangshui County, Jiangsu Province. The explosion was felt miles away and registered as a small earthquake, leveling factory buildings and nearby homes. Rescue workers and local volunteers rushed to the scene, braving toxic fumes to search for survivors. Authorities confirmed at least 47 fatalities and over 640 injuries, many of them severe burns. The accident prompted national scrutiny of chemical plant safety standards and emergency response protocols. In its aftermath, the government conducted inspections across the industry and launched an investigation into regulatory lapses.

In the afternoon of March 21, 2022, Flight MU5735, a Boeing 737-800, disappeared from radar while descending over the mountainous region of Guangxi, China. The aircraft crashed near Qingtian village, Wuzhou, with no survivors among the 123 passengers and 9 crew members. Chinese aviation authorities immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, recovering both flight recorders from the wreckage. Initial data revealed a sudden steep descent, prompting an international investigation involving the CAAC and manufacturers. The tragedy marked China's deadliest passenger jet accident in years and raised global concerns over flight safety and oversight. Subsequent inquiries continue to probe mechanical and human factors to prevent future disasters.