April 18

On April 18, 1902, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook Guatemala, reaching a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). The tremor caused widespread destruction of buildings in Guatemala City and surrounding towns. Many homes, churches, and public structures collapsed, trapping residents under rubble. Landslides blocked roads and disrupted communication and supply lines. Casualty estimates range from 800 to 2,000 people killed, with many more injured. Rescue efforts were hindered by aftershocks and lack of organized relief. The disaster underscored the need for improved building codes and emergency planning in the region. International aid and local volunteers eventually coordinated to rebuild and support survivors.

Early on April 18, 1906, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck San Francisco, California, along the San Andreas Fault. The violent shaking lasted nearly a minute, toppling brick and masonry buildings throughout the city. Fires broke out from ruptured gas lines and spread rapidly, consuming entire neighborhoods. Over 80% of San Francisco was destroyed by the combination of quake and inferno. An estimated 3,000 people perished, making it one of the deadliest disasters in American history. Rescue and recovery efforts involved local volunteers, the Army, and aid from across the nation. The calamity prompted changes in urban planning, fire safety, and seismic building standards. San Francisco was rebuilt with wider streets and stronger infrastructure, emerging as a modern city.

During Good Friday services in Costești, a wooden church caught fire, trapping worshippers inside. The blaze spread rapidly, fueled by the building's timber structure, and smoke engulfed the interior. 118 people perished, the majority being schoolchildren attending the service. Rescue efforts were hampered by the flames and narrow exits, leading to a national tragedy. The disaster prompted changes in building regulations and fire safety measures in public gathering spaces.

East African Airways Flight 720, a scheduled passenger flight, attempted to depart from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on April 18, 1972. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suffered an engine failure, prompting the crew to abort the takeoff. The plane overran the runway, crashed into a drainage culvert, and caught fire. Of the passengers and crew aboard, 43 tragically lost their lives in the accident. Investigations pointed to mechanical issues and procedural lapses as contributing factors. The disaster prompted improvements in aircraft maintenance standards and emergency response protocols in the region.