1914day.year
The Ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland sinks in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence with the loss of 1,012 lives.
The ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland sank in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, claiming over a thousand lives in one of Canada's deadliest maritime disasters.
In the early hours of May 29, 1914, the Canadian Pacific ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland collided with the Norwegian collier SS Storstad in dense fog on the Saint Lawrence River. The impact tore a massive hole in the ship's starboard hull, causing it to capsize and sink in just 14 minutes. Of the 1,477 passengers and crew on board, 1,012 perished, making it one of the worst maritime disasters in Canadian history. Many victims were trapped in rapidly flooding staterooms as the ship listed. The sinking prompted changes in safety regulations, including lifeboat requirements and lifebelt inspections. Despite its scale, the disaster remains less well-known than other early 20th-century shipwrecks.
1914
Ocean liner
RMS Empress of Ireland
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
1920day.year
The Louth flood of 1920 was a severe flash flooding in the Lincolnshire market town of Louth, resulting in 23 fatalities in 20 minutes. It has been described as one of the most significant flood disasters in the United Kingdom during the 20th century.
The Louth flood of 1920 swept through the Lincolnshire town in just 20 minutes, killing 23 residents in one of Britain's worst flash floods.
On May 29, 1920, a sudden cloudburst over the Lincolnshire Wolds unleashed a torrent of water that overwhelmed Louth, an English market town. The deluge reached its peak in just 20 minutes, sweeping away bridges and inundating street-front properties. Twenty-three people lost their lives, and many more homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. The severity and speed of the flooding shocked authorities and residents alike. Investigations led to improved river management and early warning measures in the UK. Today, the Louth flood remains a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable power and the importance of flood preparedness.
1920
Louth flood of 1920
Lincolnshire
Louth
1947day.year
United Airlines Flight 521 crashes at LaGuardia Airport, killing 43.
United Airlines Flight 521 crashed during its landing approach at LaGuardia Airport on May 29, 1947, resulting in 43 fatalities.
Flight 521 was approaching LaGuardia Airport amidst heavy rain and reduced visibility when its wing clipped a fence during touchdown. The collision caused the aircraft to skid off the runway and burst into flames. Rescue efforts were hampered by the blazing wreckage and challenging weather conditions. Investigators later cited pilot error and inadequate runway lighting as contributing factors. The tragic accident prompted significant safety reforms in airport approach procedures and lighting systems nationwide. Airlines and regulators introduced stricter protocols for low-visibility landings in the aftermath. United Airlines also reevaluated its training programs to prevent similar disasters.
1947
United Airlines Flight 521
LaGuardia Airport
1985day.year
Heysel Stadium disaster: Thirty-nine association football fans die and hundreds are injured when a dilapidated retaining wall collapses.
A tragic wall collapse at Brussels’ Heysel Stadium before the European Cup Final kills 39 football fans and injures hundreds.
On May 29, 1985, a tragic incident occurs at Heysel Stadium in Brussels before the European Cup Final between Juventus and Liverpool.
Tensions between rival supporters lead to a crush against a weak retaining wall in the stands.
The wall gives way under pressure, collapsing onto spectators below.
Thirty-nine fans lose their lives and over 600 are injured in one of the worst disasters in sports history.
The tragedy prompts legal action, widespread condemnation, and a five-year ban on English clubs from European competitions.
Heysel becomes a sobering reminder of the critical importance of stadium safety and crowd management.
1985
Heysel Stadium disaster
association football
2008day.year
A doublet earthquake, of combined magnitude 6.1, strikes Iceland near the town of Selfoss, injuring 30 people.
In 2008, a pair of earthquakes with a combined magnitude of 6.1 struck near Selfoss, Iceland, injuring around 30 people and causing structural damage.
On May 29, 2008, Iceland experienced an unusual doublet earthquake sequence near Selfoss, registering a combined magnitude of 6.1. The quakes occurred along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge beneath Iceland. Shocks were felt across southern regions, prompting evacuations and emergency responses. Though no fatalities occurred, roughly 30 people sustained injuries, and several buildings suffered cracks and other damage. Geologists analyzed the sequence to improve understanding of Iceland’s seismic and volcanic hazards. The event underscored the nation’s vulnerability to tectonic activity and the importance of continuous monitoring.
2008
doublet earthquake
magnitude
Iceland
Selfoss
2012day.year
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake hits northern Italy near Bologna, killing at least 24 people.
In 2012, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Bologna in northern Italy, causing significant damage and claiming at least 24 lives.
On May 29, 2012, northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region was shaken by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake centered near Finale Emilia, about 40 kilometers north of Bologna. This tremor followed an initial quake on May 20, exacerbating structural damage to historic churches, industrial sites, and rural buildings. At least 24 people lost their lives when masonry walls and barns collapsed. Emergency teams and volunteers worked through the night to rescue survivors and care for displaced families. The disaster inflicted heavy losses on the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, with economic impacts reaching into the billions of euros. Reconstruction efforts prioritized seismic upgrades and the preservation of cultural heritage in affected towns.
2012
earthquake
Bologna
2020day.year
An oil spill in Norilsk releases 17,500 tons of diesel oil into nearby rivers.
In 2020, a fuel storage tank collapse in Norilsk, Russia, spilled around 17,500 tons of diesel oil into rivers, triggering one of the worst Arctic environmental disasters.
On May 29, 2020, permafrost thaw caused by rising Arctic temperatures led to the collapse of a diesel storage tank at a power plant near Norilsk, Siberia. Approximately 17,500 tons of fuel contaminated the Ambarnaya River and adjacent waterways, affecting over 350 square kilometers of tundra. Thousands of fish and aquatic species died, and local communities faced drinking water shortages and health risks. Harsh weather and remote terrain hindered cleanup efforts, which involved military units and environmental agencies. The spill highlighted the fragility of Arctic infrastructure and the urgent need for stronger environmental regulations. It remains one of the largest diesel spills in Arctic history.
2020
oil spill
Norilsk
diesel oil
2021day.year
A Cessna Citation I/SP crashes into Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee, killing all six people on board, including actor Joe Lara and his wife Gwen Shamblin Lara.
In 2021, a Cessna Citation I/SP crashed into Percy Priest Lake near Nashville, Tennessee, killing all six aboard, including actor Joe Lara and his wife Gwen Shamblin Lara.
On May 29, 2021, a private Cessna Citation I/SP jet crashed into Percy Priest Lake shortly after takeoff from Smyrna Airport, Tennessee. All six passengers perished, among them actor Joe Lara, known for his role in “Tarzan,” and his wife Gwen Shamblin Lara, founder of a faith-based wellness ministry. Witnesses reported the aircraft descending rapidly before impact, prompting an immediate response from local dive teams and rescue units. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board recovered wreckage and examined flight data to determine the cause. The tragedy underscored the risks of small-jet operations and the challenges of water rescues. Memorial services honored the victims and highlighted aviation safety concerns.
2021
Cessna Citation I/SP
crashes
Percy Priest Lake
Tennessee
Joe Lara
Gwen Shamblin Lara
2022day.year
Tara Air Flight 197 crashes in Nepal's Mustang District, killing 22.
In 2022, Tara Air Flight 197, bound for Jomsom in Nepal’s Mustang District, crashed in a steep gorge, killing all 22 people on board amid challenging terrain and weather.
On May 29, 2022, a Dornier 228 operated by Tara Air departed Pokhara for Jomsom but disappeared from radar during its descent. The wreckage was located deep in the Karnali River gorge, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. All 22 passengers and crew, including foreign tourists and Nepalese locals, lost their lives. Nepal’s mountainous topography and rapidly changing weather conditions pose significant risks for domestic flights. Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and international experts collaborated to analyze factors such as pilot decision-making, navigation systems, and potential mechanical issues. The crash intensified calls for improved safety protocols and infrastructure at remote Himalayan airstrips.
2022
Tara Air Flight 197
Mustang District