April 24

On April 24, 1837, a massive blaze erupted in the bustling port city of Surat. Strong winds and wooden buildings helped the fire spread rapidly across neighborhoods. More than 9,000 homes were consumed, leaving countless families homeless. Authorities struggled with limited firefighting resources, highlighting urban vulnerabilities. The disaster prompted reforms in building codes and the establishment of organized fire services.

On April 24, 1994, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft suffered engine failure shortly after departing Sydney Airport for a cargo flight. The crew executed a controlled ditching in Botany Bay, ensuring all 25 people on board evacuated safely. Rescue teams arrived quickly, and no serious injuries were reported among passengers and crew. The incident highlighted the durability of the DC-3 design and the professionalism of the flight crew. Aviation authorities conducted a thorough investigation, recommending maintenance protocol improvements. The successful outcome became a celebrated example of effective emergency response in aviation.

On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza commercial complex in Savar, near Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed in one of the deadliest structural failures in history. The eight-story building housed garment factories, a bank, and shops, and its collapse trapped workers under massive concrete slabs. Rescue teams and local volunteers labored for days to recover victims, as images of the disaster shocked the world. Investigations revealed that structural cracks had appeared the previous day, but building owners ignored evacuation orders. The tragedy highlighted unsafe working conditions in the global garment industry and prompted international campaigns for factory safety. In its aftermath, the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh was established, aiming to improve inspections and workers’ rights across hundreds of factories.