June 10

An earthquake struck the Min Mountains in Sichuan province on May 31, 1786, creating a natural landslide dam on the Dadu River. Ten days later, on June 10, the water pressure breached the dam, unleashing deadly floods downstream. The torrent devastated villages and farmland, resulting in one of China’s deadliest flood disasters, with estimated fatalities reaching 100,000. The tragedy highlighted the catastrophic potential of earthquake-induced landslide dams. It remains a stark example of the intersection between seismic activity and hydrological hazards.

On the night of June 10, 1886, Mount Tarawera on New Zealand's North Island began a series of devastating eruptions that lasted for three months. Columns of ash and volcanic debris blanketed surrounding villages, while pyroclastic flows swept down mountain slopes at high speed. The eruption obliterated the world-renowned Pink and White Terraces, often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', and caused the deaths of 153 Maori residents. A 17 km fissure tore across the mountain's summit, dramatically altering the region's topography. Eyewitnesses reported glowing lava rivers and rumbling earthquakes felt hundreds of kilometers away. The disaster reshaped the landscape, creating new crater lakes and geothermal features still studied by scientists today. Early geological surveys of Tarawera's eruption provided valuable insights into volcanic processes and risk assessment. The event remains one of New Zealand's deadliest natural disasters, shaping land use and monitoring practices.

On June 10, 1960, Flight 538, operated by Trans Australia Airlines, crashed just short of Mackay Airport in Queensland. The Vickers Viscount aircraft encountered difficulties during its approach, leading to a fatal impact. All 29 people on board, including passengers and crew, lost their lives in the tragedy. Investigations examined mechanical failure and pilot procedures as possible causes of the crash. The disaster prompted improvements in aviation safety standards and approach protocols in Australia. It remains one of the deadliest airline accidents in the nation's history.

On June 10, 1990, British Airways Flight 5390 en route from Birmingham to Málaga experienced a sudden cockpit windshield failure at 17,300 feet. The captain was partially ejected through the opening but was held in by quick-thinking cabin crew who tied his legs to the cockpit controls. Despite the harrowing situation, First Officer Alastair Atchison successfully landed the aircraft at Southampton Airport. An investigation revealed that incorrectly sized bolts had been used during maintenance, leading to the windshield blowout. This incident became a landmark case in aviation safety, prompting stricter maintenance protocols worldwide.

On June 10, 2008, Sudan Airways Flight 109, a domestic passenger jet, attempted to land at Khartoum International Airport. During the landing, the aircraft hydroplaned off the runway and crashed into nearby terrain. The impact and ensuing severe damage caused the deaths of 30 people on board. Rescue teams responded swiftly but found few survivors among the wreckage. Investigations pointed to poor weather conditions and runway maintenance issues as contributing factors.

On June 10, 2024, a civilian aircraft crashed in eastern Malawi amid poor weather conditions. The crash resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including Vice President Saulos Chilima. Chilima was traveling to attend regional diplomatic talks at the time of the accident. Emergency responders recovered the wreckage and launched an investigation into mechanical and environmental factors. The loss of the Vice President sent shockwaves through Malawi's political landscape. National leaders declared a period of mourning and pledged to enhance aviation safety protocols.