March 26

In March 1651, the Spanish galleon San José, laden with silver, was driven ashore by strong winds on the coast of southern Chile. The wreck occurred near the territory of the indigenous Cuncos, who later killed any survivors. The ship's immense treasure has remained a subject of legend and modern salvage efforts. Its sinking has sparked legal disputes over ownership and maritime heritage. The San José is often called the 'Holy Grail of Shipwrecks' due to its rumored riches.

On March 26, 1812, a massive earthquake struck Caracas, Venezuela, causing widespread destruction. The quake, estimated at around magnitude 7.7, leveled buildings and claimed thousands of lives. The disaster occurred during Venezuela's fight for independence from Spain. Some contemporaries interpreted the quake as divine intervention in the political struggle. Rebuilding efforts reshaped Caracas and influenced future urban planning.

On March 26, 1896, a massive explosion ripped through the Brunner Mine on New Zealand's South Island. The blast, caused by a buildup of flammable gases, trapped and killed 65 miners working underground. Rescue teams labored through dangerous conditions, but all trapped workers perished. The disaster prompted a royal commission to investigate mine safety standards. New regulations were introduced to improve ventilation and gas detection in coal mines. The tragedy remains the deadliest industrial accident in New Zealand's history, commemorated by a memorial at the site.

On March 26, 1955, Pan American Flight 845/26, a Boeing Stratocruiser, developed engine trouble off the Oregon coast. The crew executed a daring water landing, or ditching, in the Pacific Ocean under challenging conditions. Rescue efforts by nearby vessels and Coast Guard crews saved most passengers and crew from the overturned fuselage. Despite the successful ditching, four individuals tragically lost their lives in the accident. The incident prompted investigations into aircraft safety and emergency ditching procedures. Lessons learned influenced future regulations and training for over-water flight operations.

On March 26, 1979, an East German Interflug Ilyushin Il-18 attempted to take off from Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro Airport but was aborted. The aircraft overran the runway and collided with obstacles, killing ten people on board. The capacity of the plane, pilot reports, and weather conditions all contributed to the tragedy. It remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Angola’s history. The crash prompted reviews of takeoff procedures and airport safety measures.

In the early hours of March 26, 2024, the Liberian-flagged container ship MV Dali lost power and veered off course, striking a central support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River. The impact caused a section of the steel truss bridge to collapse, sending multiple vehicles into the river below and trapping drivers and passengers in submerged cars. Emergency crews rushed to the scene amidst chaotic traffic and severe structural instability, battling strong currents and debris. Six individuals lost their lives in the disaster, and several others were injured or went missing in the immediate aftermath. The collapsed span severed a critical transportation artery into Baltimore, disrupting commerce and commuter traffic for weeks. Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board launched a comprehensive inquiry into navigational protocols, shipboard power failures, and bridge design safety measures. In response, maritime authorities imposed new restrictions on large vessel movements at night, and state officials accelerated plans for a bridge replacement project to ensure long-term resilience.