1718day.year
At least 73,000 people died in the 1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake due to landslides in the Qing dynasty.
In 1718, a powerful earthquake struck the Tongwei and Gansu regions of Qing dynasty China, triggering devastating landslides that killed over 70,000 people.
The 1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake occurred in the rugged terrain of northwest China during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor. Intense seismic shaking destabilized mountainsides, causing massive landslides that engulfed villages and farmland. Contemporary reports estimate a death toll exceeding 73,000, making it one of the deadliest quakes in Chinese history. Entire communities were buried under debris, and survivors faced famine and disease in the aftermath. The disaster prompted early Qing responses to natural calamities and influenced the development of provincial relief measures. Today, the earthquake is studied for its geological impacts and the resilience of affected populations.
1718
1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake
Qing dynasty
1945day.year
The Smoke Tragedy left 355 workers dead in the underground copper mine of El Teniente, Chile.
A deadly underground fire at Chile’s El Teniente copper mine in 1945 engulfed tunnels in toxic smoke, killing 355 workers.
On June 19, 1945, a sudden underground fire broke out at the El Teniente copper mine, one of the world’s largest. Thick, acrid smoke spread rapidly through miles of tunnels, trapping hundreds of miners. Despite immediate rescue efforts, 355 workers perished before teams could reach them. The catastrophe remains one of the deadliest mining disasters in history. It prompted Chilean authorities and the mining company to review and strengthen safety protocols. Ventilation systems, emergency exits, and monitoring standards were significantly improved afterwards. The tragedy underscored the grave risks of deep-shaft mining.
1945
The Smoke Tragedy
El Teniente
1947day.year
Pan Am Flight 121 crashes in the Syrian Desert near Mayadin, Syria, killing 15 and injuring 21.
Pan Am Flight 121 crashed in the Syrian Desert near Mayadin in 1947, resulting in 15 fatalities and 21 injuries.
On June 19, 1947, Pan Am Flight 121, a transatlantic Douglas DC-4, encountered catastrophic difficulties over the Syrian Desert. The aircraft crashed near the town of Mayadin, killing 15 passengers and crew. Twenty-one survivors endured harsh desert conditions before rescue teams arrived. U.S. Army Air Forces personnel and local Bedouin tribes assisted in the relief effort. The accident highlighted the challenges of long-range air travel in remote regions. Subsequent investigations led to improvements in emergency procedures and aircraft maintenance protocols.
1947
Pan Am Flight 121
Syrian Desert
Mayadin
1987day.year
Aeroflot Flight N-528 crashes at Berdiansk Airport in present-day Ukraine, killing eight people.
Aeroflot Flight N-528 tragically crashed during landing at Berdiansk Airport, resulting in eight fatalities.
On June 19, 1987, Aeroflot Flight N-528, operating a domestic route within the Soviet Union, encountered fatal difficulties as it attempted to land at Berdiansk Airport in the Ukrainian SSR. The aircraft crashed near the runway in poor visibility conditions, resulting in the deaths of all eight people on board. Investigators identified a combination of instrument navigation issues and adverse weather as contributing factors. The accident underscored safety challenges faced by Soviet civil aviation at the time. Authorities launched a comprehensive review of approach procedures at smaller regional airports. The Berdiansk disaster prompted upgrades to landing systems and crew training programs. Although modest in scale, the crash reinforced the importance of modernizing aviation infrastructure across the USSR.
Aeroflot Flight N-528
Berdiansk Airport