May 28

On May 28, 1968, Garuda Indonesian Airways Flight 892 crashed into a hillside near Nala Sopara, just north of Mumbai, India. The aircraft, en route from Bangkok to Jakarta via Bombay, encountered adverse weather conditions before impact. Rescue teams faced difficult terrain and heavy rain while recovering victims from the wreckage. Of the passengers and crew on board, 30 lost their lives and several others were injured. The crash prompted investigations into flight procedures and weather forecasting in the region. It remains one of Indonesia’s deadliest aviation disasters of the era, highlighting the challenges of international air travel at the time.

On May 28, 1977, a massive fire broke out at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky. The blaze spread rapidly through the wooden structure, fueled by its labyrinthine layout and flammable decorations. Emergency exits were poorly marked and insufficient, trapping many patrons inside. Rescue efforts were hampered by heavy smoke and the building's large crowds. In the end, 165 people lost their lives and more than 200 were injured. The tragedy prompted sweeping changes in fire safety codes and inspection practices nationwide. It remains one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.

On May 28, 1995, a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Neftegorsk on Sakhalin Island in Russia. The quake reached a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leveling the small oil settlement. Rescue operations were severely hampered by harsh weather and the remote location. In total, 1,989 residents lost their lives and 750 were injured, making it one of Russia's deadliest seismic disasters. The economic toll ranged from $64 million to $300 million, reflecting widespread destruction of infrastructure and housing. Authorities decided not to rebuild Neftegorsk, relocating survivors to other communities. The event highlighted the vulnerabilities of remote settlements and spurred improvements in seismic monitoring.

On May 28, 2010, the Jnaneswari Express train derailed near the West Bengal district of Jhargram, India, before colliding with a goods train on the same track. The accident killed 148 passengers and injured dozens more, making it one of the deadliest rail disasters in the region’s recent history. Preliminary investigations pointed to a broken rail as the likely cause, raising concerns over maintenance standards. Emergency services and local residents rushed to the scene to rescue survivors and tend to the wounded. The tragedy prompted the Indian Railways to launch safety audits and accelerate track renewal programs. Families of the victims demanded accountability and better security measures on one of India’s busiest train routes.

On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy fell into the enclosure of Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Zoo officials made the difficult decision to shoot Harambe to protect the child’s life, a move that sparked intense debate and widespread media coverage. Conservationists and animal rights advocates criticized the zoo’s actions, arguing for alternative rescue methods. The incident became an internet phenomenon, inspiring countless memes, hashtags, and online discussions about zoo safety and wildlife ethics. Public scrutiny led many zoological institutions to review and upgrade enclosure security measures. The death of Harambe remains a symbol of the complex relationship between humans and captive wildlife.