May 19

On May 19, 1950, a barge carrying thousands of tons of munitions intended for Pakistan detonated in the harbor at South Amboy, New Jersey. The massive explosion shattered windows and sent steel plates hurtling through the air, devastating homes and businesses within a half-mile radius. Miraculously, no fatalities were reported, but dozens of people suffered injuries from flying debris and the blast wave. The disaster left hundreds homeless and required extensive cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Investigators later attributed the blast to an accidental ignition of unstable explosives. The event remains one of New Jersey's largest industrial accidents and a stark reminder of the dangers of transporting wartime ordnance.

On May 19, 1993, SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashed while preparing to land at José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín. The Boeing 727 encountered navigational difficulties in poor weather conditions during its descent. It struck mountainous terrain, resulting in the tragic deaths of all 132 people on board. Search and rescue teams faced challenges due to the remote and rugged location of the crash site. The disaster prompted investigations that highlighted shortcomings in air navigation systems and pilot communication. Safety recommendations from the inquiry led to improvements in approach procedures at mountain-ringed airports.

On May 19, 2012, a series of three gas cylinder bombs exploded in front of a vocational school in Brindisi, Italy. The blasts occurred in quick succession, causing panic among students and passersby. One young woman lost her life, and five others were wounded in the attack. Authorities launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, suspecting a politically motivated act. The incident raised concerns about domestic terrorism and school security in Italy. Investigations later led to the arrest of a suspect, highlighting the challenges of preventing lone-wolf attacks.

On May 19, 2016, EgyptAir Flight 804 disappeared from radar and plunged into the Mediterranean Sea. The Airbus A320 was carrying 66 passengers and crew when it went down. Wreckage and human remains were later recovered off the coast of Greece. Investigations detected smoke traces in the cockpit voice recorder suggesting a possible fire. Egyptian and French authorities examined various theories, including technical failure and terrorism. Despite extensive searches, the exact cause of the crash remains undetermined.

On May 19, 2024, a government helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian crashed under unclear circumstances. The accident occurred in mountainous terrain during adverse weather conditions. All eight passengers and crew on board lost their lives, triggering national mourning. Iranian authorities launched an investigation to determine the cause, whether mechanical failure or pilot error. The sudden loss of top leadership prompted immediate discussions about the country’s political succession. International leaders offered condolences as Iran grappled with shock and uncertainty.