1954day.year
A 19-month-old infant is swept up in the ocean tides at Hermosa Beach, California. Local photographer John L. Gaunt photographs the incident; 1955 Pulitzer winner "Tragedy by the Sea".
A 19-month-old toddler is swept into the Pacific Ocean at Hermosa Beach in 1954, inspiring John L. Gaunt's Pulitzer-winning photograph 'Tragedy by the Sea'.
In 1954 a 19-month-old child was swept away by powerful tides at Hermosa Beach, California, while playing near the shoreline. Local photographer John L. Gaunt documented the dramatic rescue attempt in a single frame that captured both the helplessness of the toddler and the frantic efforts of bystanders. The resulting image, known as 'Tragedy by the Sea,' was widely published and earned Gaunt the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1955. The photograph highlighted the dangers of coastal waters and prompted renewed calls for improved beach safety measures. 'Tragedy by the Sea' remains a landmark in photojournalism for its emotional impact and enduring influence.
1954
Hermosa Beach, California
John L. Gaunt
Tragedy by the Sea
1969day.year
LOT Polish Airlines Flight 165 crashes into the Polica mountain near Zawoja, Poland, killing 53.
LOT Polish Airlines Flight 165 crashes into Poland's Polica mountain on April 2, 1969, killing all 53 people on board.
On April 2, 1969, LOT Polish Airlines Flight 165 crashed into Polica mountain near Zawoja, Poland, under adverse weather conditions. The flight was en route from Warsaw to Kraków when low visibility led the crew to descend prematurely, colliding with the mountain at night. All 53 passengers and crew lost their lives, marking one of the worst air disasters in Poland to that date. Investigators cited navigational errors and inadequate weather information as contributing factors. The tragedy prompted reforms in flight safety protocols, improving instrument calibration and mountain approach procedures across the region.
1969
LOT Polish Airlines Flight 165
Polica mountain
Zawoja
1979day.year
A Soviet bio-warfare laboratory at Sverdlovsk accidentally releases airborne anthrax spores, killing 66 plus an unknown amount of livestock.
A deadly anthrax leak occurred at a Soviet bioweapons facility in Sverdlovsk in 1979, killing dozens of people and livestock. The incident was shrouded in secrecy by the Soviet government for years.
On April 2, 1979, a breach in a Soviet military microbiology complex released aerosolized anthrax spores into the atmosphere. The leak contaminated nearby villages around Sverdlovsk, resulting in the sudden deaths of at least 66 residents and unknown numbers of farm animals. Soviet authorities initially blamed tainted meat for the outbreak and suppressed information about the accident. It was not until the early 1990s that Moscow admitted the facility’s role in the disaster. The incident exposed the dangers of biological weapons research and fueled international calls for stricter biosecurity. Subsequent investigations helped shape protocols to prevent future accidental releases.
1979
accidentally releases airborne anthrax spores
2006day.year
Over 60 tornadoes break out in the United States; Tennessee is hardest hit with 29 people killed.
On April 2, 2006, more than 60 tornadoes swept across the United States, killing 29 people in Tennessee.
A massive tornado outbreak struck the central and eastern United States on April 2, 2006, spawning over 60 twisters across several states. Tennessee experienced the worst of the storm, with violent funnels demolishing homes and claiming 29 lives. Meteorologists had warned of severe weather conditions as warm, moist air collided with cold fronts, creating a volatile atmosphere. The event prompted widespread emergency responses, shelter activations, and relief operations to support affected communities. In the aftermath, investigations led to improvements in early warning systems and building codes to reduce future tornado risks.
2006
tornadoes
break out
Tennessee
2012day.year
UTair Flight 120 crashes after takeoff from Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen, Russia, killing 33 and injuring 10.
On April 2, 2012, UTair Flight 120 crashed after takeoff from Tyumen’s Roshchino International Airport, killing 33 people.
UTair Flight 120, a Yakovlev Yak-42D aircraft, crashed moments after takeoff from Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen, Russia, on April 2, 2012. Engine failure due to compressor stall and subsequent fire were cited as possible causes by investigators. The plane slammed into terrain near the runway, killing 33 passengers and crew and leaving 10 others injured. Rescue teams faced challenges reaching the wreckage amid rising flames and dense smoke. The accident spurred UTair to review maintenance procedures and led Russian aviation authorities to enhance safety inspections for older aircraft fleets.
UTair Flight 120
Roshchino International Airport
Tyumen
2021day.year
At least 49 people are killed in a train derailment in Taiwan after a truck accidentally rolls onto the track.
On April 2, 2021, a passenger train in Taiwan derailed after colliding with a runaway truck, resulting in at least 49 fatalities.
On April 2, 2021, a southbound express train in Taiwan collided with a heavy truck that had lost braking power and rolled onto the tracks.
The impact caused multiple carriages to derail near Hualien County, killing at least 49 people and injuring over 200.
Investigators found that the truck had slipped from its parking brake on a steep incline before sliding onto the railway.
Rescue teams worked through the night to extricate passengers from crushed carriages amid challenging conditions.
The accident sparked a nationwide review of rail safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
Memorials were held across Taiwan to honor the victims and support affected families.
2021
train derailment
Taiwan