April 17

Facing a severe storm, the Katina P was deliberately beached to prevent sinking in deep waters. The grounding released approximately 60,000 tons of crude oil into the ocean, contaminating the coastline of Mozambique. Oil slicks spread over miles, endangering marine life, mangrove forests, and local fishing communities. Cleanup efforts were hampered by limited resources and the sheer scale of the spill. The disaster underscored the environmental risks of maritime oil transport.

On April 17, 2013, a massive explosion ripped through the West Fertilizer Company plant in West, Texas. The blast claimed 15 lives and injured more than 160 people, including first responders. The explosion leveled dozens of homes and buildings in the nearby residential area. Plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters battled fires ignited by the blast. Investigations later pointed to the dangerous storage of ammonium nitrate as the likely cause. The community rallied to support victims and rebuild, raising millions in relief funds. The disaster prompted a nationwide review of chemical storage regulations to prevent similar tragedies.