801day.year
An earthquake in the Central Apennines hits Rome and Spoleto, damaging the basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
A powerful earthquake shakes Rome and Spoleto, damaging the basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
On April 29, 801, a powerful earthquake shook the Central Apennines, rattling Rome and Spoleto.
The tremors caused widespread structural damage, most severely impacting the basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura in Rome.
Parts of the ancient church's walls and roof collapsed under the seismic force.
Eyewitnesses described terrifying aftershocks that sent citizens fleeing into the streets.
The disaster disrupted religious ceremonies and pilgrimages for months afterward.
Medieval builders embarked on extensive restoration efforts to rebuild the sacred basilica.
This event remains one of the earliest documented earthquakes in medieval Italy.
801
earthquake
Central Apennines
Rome
Spoleto
San Paolo Fuori le Mura
1903day.year
A landslide kills 70 people in Frank, in the District of Alberta, Canada.
A catastrophic landslide in Frank, Alberta, buried parts of the railway town under debris, killing 70 residents in one of Canada's deadliest landslides.
On April 29, 1903, a massive landslide struck the railway town of Frank in Alberta, Canada, burying homes, businesses, and tracks under tons of debris.
Seventy residents lost their lives in one of the deadliest landslides in Canadian history.
Heavy rains and the region's unstable shale bedrock combined to trigger the sudden slope failure.
Rescue efforts were hampered by continuous ground movement and falling rocks.
The disaster led to improvements in geological surveying and land-use planning in the Rocky Mountains.
1903
landslide
Frank
District of Alberta
1952day.year
Pan Am Flight 202 crashes into the Amazon basin near Carolina, Maranhão, Brazil, killing 50 people.
Pan Am Flight 202 crashes into the Amazon basin near Carolina, Brazil, killing all 50 aboard.
On April 29, 1952, Pan American World Airways Flight 202 disappeared over Brazil's remote Amazon basin.
The Douglas DC-4 aircraft crashed near Carolina, Maranhão state, amid poor visibility and radio silence.
Rescue teams from Brazil and the United States faced dense jungle and muddy terrain to locate wreckage.
All 50 passengers and crew perished, highlighting the risks of early long-haul air travel.
Pan Am conducted thorough investigations and revised navigational guidelines for flights over uncharted regions.
The tragedy underscored the need for improved weather forecasting and flight safety protocols.
1952
Pan Am Flight 202
Amazon basin
Carolina, Maranhão
1986day.year
A fire at the Central library of the Los Angeles Public Library damages or destroys 400,000 books and other items.
A major fire at the Los Angeles Central Library destroyed hundreds of thousands of books, representing one of America's worst library disasters.
On April 29, 1986, a devastating fire broke out in the Central Library of the Los Angeles Public Library system. The blaze spread through stacks and storage areas, fueled by decades of accumulated paper and wooden shelves. Firefighters battled the flames for hours before bringing the situation under control. The disaster damaged or destroyed an estimated 400,000 volumes, archives, and rare items, including historical photographs and maps. Preservation teams worked months to salvage charred materials and restore the collection. The tragedy prompted new safety regulations and improved fire suppression systems in libraries nationwide.
1986
Los Angeles Public Library
1991day.year
A cyclone strikes the Chittagong district of southeastern Bangladesh with winds of around 155 miles per hour (249 km/h), killing at least 138,000 people and leaving as many as ten million homeless.
A powerful cyclone struck Bangladesh's Chittagong district, causing massive loss of life and displacing millions.
On April 29, 1991, a devastating cyclone made landfall in the Chittagong district of southeastern Bangladesh. With sustained winds of around 155 miles per hour (249 km/h), the storm generated a deadly storm surge that inundated coastal villages. Official estimates reported at least 138,000 fatalities and up to ten million people rendered homeless. Relief agencies and the Bangladeshi government mounted a large-scale humanitarian response, providing emergency shelter, food, and medical care. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of low-lying delta regions to tropical cyclones and spurred improvements in early warning systems. Infrastructure rebuilding and community resilience efforts continued for years after the storm.
1991
cyclone
Chittagong
Bangladesh
1991day.year
The 7.0 Mw Racha earthquake affects Georgia with a maximum MSK intensity of IX (Destructive), killing 270 people.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Georgia's Racha region, causing widespread destruction and hundreds of deaths.
On April 29, 1991, the Racha region of the Republic of Georgia was hit by a 7.0 Mw earthquake with a maximum MSK intensity of IX (Destructive). The quake flattened entire villages in the mountainous area and triggered landslides that blocked roads and isolated communities. Official reports recorded around 270 deaths and hundreds of injuries as many homes collapsed without adequate seismic resistance. Soviet and local rescue teams faced challenges reaching remote sites amid damaged infrastructure. The disaster prompted revisions to building codes and emphasized the need for earthquake preparedness in the Caucasus region. Reconstruction efforts focused on constructing more resilient housing and improving emergency response capabilities.
Racha earthquake
Georgia
MSK
2013day.year
A powerful explosion occurs in an office building in Prague, believed to have been caused by natural gas, and injures 43 people.
In April 2013, a powerful explosion tore through an office building in Prague, injuring dozens of people.
In the early hours of April 29, 2013, a sudden explosion ripped through an office building in Prague, Czech Republic.
The blast was later attributed to a natural gas leak, catching occupants off guard.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, transporting 43 injured individuals to nearby hospitals.
Widespread shock and fear spread through the city as authorities cordoned off the area and began investigations.
Structural engineers assessed the damaged building for risk of collapse and ordered restricted access.
Local officials called for stringent safety inspections to prevent similar incidents in the future.
2013
explosion
Prague
2013day.year
National Airlines Flight 102, a Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft, crashes during takeoff from Bagram Airfield in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, killing all seven people on board.
National Airlines Flight 102 crashed on takeoff from Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in 2013, killing all seven crew members.
On April 29, 2013, National Airlines Flight 102, a Boeing 747-400 freighter, attempted to depart Bagram Airfield in Parwan Province, Afghanistan.
Moments after takeoff, the aircraft crashed back onto the runway, disintegrating on impact.
All seven crew members on board were tragically killed, and the wreckage sparked a massive firefighting response.
An investigation pointed to a cargo shift as a potential factor that destabilized the plane.
The crash marked the deadliest aviation accident at Bagram Airfield and prompted reviews of cargo loading procedures.
Military and civilian pilots were urged to implement stricter guidelines to enhance flight safety in high-risk environments.
National Airlines Flight 102
Boeing 747-400
Bagram Airfield
Parwan Province