1902day.year
A stand box collapses at Ibrox Park (now Ibrox Stadium) in Glasgow, Scotland, which led to the deaths of 25 and injuries to more than 500 supporters during an international association football match between Scotland and England.
A wooden stand at Ibrox Park collapses during an international football match, causing the deaths of 25 spectators and injuring over 500.
On April 5, 1902, a wooden terrace section at Ibrox Park in Glasgow gave way during an international match between Scotland and England.
More than 2,000 fans had packed into the stand when part of the structure collapsed under their weight.
Twenty-five people were killed and over 500 were injured in one of the earliest and deadliest stadium disasters in football history.
The tragedy exposed the dangers of inadequate stadium design and overcrowding at sporting events.
In its wake, authorities introduced stricter building regulations and safety standards for football grounds.
The Ibrox disaster remains a landmark event in the evolution of crowd management and stadium safety laws.
1902
A stand box collapses at Ibrox Park
Ibrox Stadium
Glasgow
association football
Scotland
England
1936day.year
Tupelo–Gainesville tornado outbreak: An F5 tornado kills 233 in Tupelo, Mississippi.
An F5 tornado devastates Tupelo, Mississippi, claiming 233 lives during a historic outbreak of severe storms.
On April 5, 1936, a catastrophic F5 tornado struck Tupelo, Mississippi, as part of the Tupelo–Gainesville outbreak.
Homes, churches, and businesses were obliterated as the twister carved a deadly path through the city.
Official records report 233 fatalities and hundreds more injured, making it one of America's deadliest tornadoes.
Rescue operations were challenged by debris and downed communication lines, stretching local resources to the limit.
The disaster spurred improvements in weather forecasting and early warning systems across the South.
Today, memorials in Tupelo honor the victims and commemorate the community's resilience.
1936
Tupelo–Gainesville tornado outbreak
F5
Tupelo, Mississippi
1946day.year
A Fleet Air Arm Vickers Wellington crashes into a residential area in Rabat, Malta during a training exercise, killing all 4 crew members and 16 civilians on the ground.
A British Vickers Wellington bomber crashes into a residential area in Rabat, Malta during a training flight, killing crew and civilians.
During a training exercise on April 5, 1946, a Fleet Air Arm Vickers Wellington bomber experienced a critical malfunction over Rabat, Malta. The aircraft dove into a residential neighborhood, instantly killing all four crew members on board. Tragically, sixteen civilians also lost their lives, and many more were injured in the impact and subsequent fires. Local emergency services were quickly deployed, but the devastation and human toll were immense. Investigations were launched to determine the cause of the crash and to review flight safety protocols. The accident highlighted the dangers of conducting military exercises in close proximity to civilian populations. Memorials in Rabat honor the victims and serve as reminders of the intersection between military operations and community safety.
Fleet Air Arm
Vickers Wellington
crashes
Rabat
Malta
1949day.year
A fire in a hospital in Effingham, Illinois, kills 77 people and leads to nationwide fire code improvements in the United States.
A devastating fire at an Effingham, Illinois hospital kills 77 people, prompting nationwide overhaul of fire safety codes.
On April 5, 1949, a catastrophic fire broke out at a general hospital in Effingham, Illinois, spreading rapidly through wards and corridors. The blaze claimed the lives of 77 patients and staff, many of whom were unable to evacuate due to locked doors and inadequate sprinkler systems. The tragedy shocked the nation and underscored the vulnerability of medical facilities to fire. In response, legislators and safety experts pushed for rigorous revisions to hospital fire codes across the United States. Reforms introduced mandatory fire-resistant doors, emergency lighting, and clear evacuation routes. The Effingham fire accelerated the adoption of modern building standards designed to protect patients and first responders. Today, it stands as a pivotal moment in the history of American fire safety regulation.
1949
fire in a hospital
Effingham, Illinois
1991day.year
An ASA EMB 120 crashes in Brunswick, Georgia, killing all 23 aboard including Sen. John Tower and astronaut Sonny Carter.
On April 5, 1991, an ASA EMB-120 passenger aircraft crashed near Brunswick, Georgia, killing all 23 people on board, including Senator John Tower and astronaut Sonny Carter.
The ASA-operated EMB-120 took off from Brunswick, Georgia, bound for Montgomery, Alabama on a routine passenger flight.
Shortly after departure, the aircraft plummeted into a nearby marsh, killing all 23 passengers and crew on impact.
Among the victims were former U.S. Senator John Tower and veteran astronaut Sonny Carter.
Investigators pointed to potential mechanical failure in the aircraft’s propeller control system.
The tragedy prompted intensified scrutiny of commuter airliner safety standards and maintenance protocols.
Memorial services were held to honor the lives and public service of those lost in the crash.
1991
ASA
EMB 120
crashes
Brunswick, Georgia
Sen. John Tower
Sonny Carter
2007day.year
The cruise ship MS Sea Diamond strikes a volcanic reef near Nea Kameni and sinks the next day. Two passengers were never recovered and are presumed dead.
The cruise ship MS Sea Diamond strikes a volcanic reef near Nea Kameni in Greece and sinks, leaving two passengers missing and presumed dead.
On April 5, 2007, the MS Sea Diamond, operated by Louis Hellenic Cruise Lines, hit a submerged volcanic reef near the island of Nea Kameni in Santorini's caldera. Despite efforts to save the vessel, it sank the following day after taking on water. Rescue operations recovered most of the 1,565 passengers and crew, but two passengers were never found. Investigations pointed to navigational errors and chart inaccuracies as contributing factors. The wreck now rests at a depth of 120 meters and has become a deep-water diving attraction. The incident prompted reviews of maritime safety procedures and highlighted the risks of sailing in volcanic archipelagos. Environmental concerns arose over potential oil leaks, but pollution was contained. The sinking remains one of the most dramatic peacetime maritime disasters in the Aegean Sea.
2007
cruise ship
MS Sea Diamond
Nea Kameni
2010day.year
Twenty-nine coal miners are killed in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia.
An explosion at West Virginia's Upper Big Branch Mine kills twenty-nine coal miners, marking one of the deadliest mining disasters in US history.
On April 5, 2010, a massive methane gas explosion ripped through the Upper Big Branch coal mine in Montcoal, West Virginia. The blast trapped and killed twenty-nine miners, making it the deadliest US mining accident in decades. Rescue teams faced dangerous conditions and lingering methane pockets during their recovery efforts. Investigations later revealed lapses in safety protocols and ventilation management at the mine. Families of the victims and labor advocates criticized the mine's owner, Massey Energy, for prioritizing productivity over worker safety. The tragedy prompted federal mine safety reforms and increased inspections across the industry. Memorials and scholarships were established in honor of the lost miners. The Upper Big Branch disaster remains a sobering reminder of the hazards faced by coal workers.
Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia