1936day.year
A major breach of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal in England sends millions of gallons of water cascading 200 feet (61 m) into the River Irwell.
A catastrophic breach in the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal sent millions of gallons of water pouring into the River Irwell in 1936.
On July 6, 1936, a section of the canal embankment gave way near Agecroft in Lancashire, England.
The breach unleashed an estimated 10 million gallons of water over a 200-foot drop into the River Irwell.
The sudden flood damaged nearby homes, roads, and railway lines downstream.
Engineers and local workers raced to contain the flow and repair the canal banks.
The incident highlighted the aging industrial infrastructure’s vulnerability to collapse.
Following extensive repairs, the canal resumed limited operation, but never regained its former prominence.
1936
Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal
River Irwell
1944day.year
The Hartford circus fire, one of America's worst fire disasters, kills approximately 168 people and injures over 700 in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Hartford Circus Fire of 1944 became one of the deadliest fire disasters in U.S. history, claiming around 168 lives.
On July 6, 1944, a fire broke out under the big top of the Ringling Brothers–Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut.
Circus workers and attendees scrambled as flames spread rapidly through the canvas tent.
Poor lighting and locked exits hindered the evacuation, causing panic and chaos.
The blaze killed approximately 168 people, including many children, and injured over 700.
Rescue workers battled the inferno and treated survivors in makeshift hospitals.
In the tragedy’s aftermath, laws governing tent materials and emergency procedures were significantly strengthened.
Hartford circus fire
fire disasters
Hartford, Connecticut
1982day.year
While attempting to return to Sheremetyevo International Airport, Aeroflot Flight 411, an Ilyushin Il-62, crashes near Mendeleyevo, Moscow Oblast, killing all 90 people on board.
Aeroflot Flight 411 crashed on approach to Sheremetyevo International Airport near Mendeleyevo, killing all 90 people on board.
On July 6, 1982, Aeroflot Flight 411, an Ilyushin Il-62 jet, was forced to return to Sheremetyevo International Airport after encountering problems en route.
The aircraft crashed near the village of Mendeleyevo in Moscow Oblast, killing all 90 passengers and crew on board.
Search and rescue efforts were hampered by dense forests and limited visibility.
The tragedy stands as one of the most severe air accidents in Soviet aviation history.
Subsequent investigations explored mechanical malfunctions and operational protocols to prevent similar disasters.
1982
Sheremetyevo International Airport
Aeroflot Flight 411
Ilyushin Il-62
Mendeleyevo, Moscow Oblast
1988day.year
The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil workers are killed, making it the world's worst offshore oil disaster in terms of direct loss of life.
An explosion and fire destroyed the Piper Alpha oil platform in the North Sea, claiming 167 lives in the world’s worst offshore oil disaster.
On July 6, 1988, the Piper Alpha oil platform in the North Sea experienced a catastrophic gas leak that led to massive explosions.
The resulting fires engulfed the rig, making firefighting efforts nearly impossible under harsh weather conditions.
Rescue operations were severely hampered, and 167 of the 229 workers onboard lost their lives.
The disaster remains the deadliest offshore oil platform accident in history.
It triggered a complete overhaul of offshore safety regulations and emergency response procedures.
1988
Piper Alpha
North Sea
1996day.year
A McDonnell Douglas MD-88 operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 1288 experiences a turbine engine failure during takeoff from Pensacola International Airport, killing two and injuring five of the 147 people on board.
Delta Air Lines Flight 1288 suffered a turbine engine failure during takeoff from Pensacola, causing fatalities and injuries aboard an MD-88.
On July 6, 1996, Delta Air Lines Flight 1288, operated by a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, experienced a catastrophic turbine engine failure during its takeoff roll at Pensacola International Airport.
Shrapnel from the failing engine penetrated the cabin, claiming two lives and injuring five passengers among the 147 onboard.
The flight crew halted the takeoff and evacuated the aircraft without further casualties.
The accident prompted an investigation into engine maintenance and inspection practices.
As a result, stricter inspection protocols were implemented across the MD-80 fleet to enhance passenger safety.
1996
McDonnell Douglas MD-88
Delta Air Lines Flight 1288
turbine engine failure
Pensacola International Airport
2013day.year
A Boeing 777 operating as Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashes at San Francisco International Airport, killing three and injuring 181 of the 307 people on board.
Asiana Airlines Flight 214, operating a Boeing 777, crashed during landing at San Francisco International Airport in 2013, killing three and injuring dozens of passengers.
On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214, a Boeing 777, stalled on final approach to San Francisco International Airport.
The aircraft impacted the seawall just short of the runway threshold before skidding along the tarmac.
Three passengers lost their lives and 181 of the 307 people on board were injured, some critically.
The crash prompted widespread media coverage and raised questions about pilot training and automated systems.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the accident and issued safety recommendations.
Changes in crew resource management and approach procedures were implemented industry-wide to prevent similar accidents.
Boeing 777
Asiana Airlines Flight 214
San Francisco International Airport
2013day.year
A 73-car oil train derails in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec and explodes into flames, killing at least 47 people and destroying more than 30 buildings in the town's central area.
A freight train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, in 2013, killing at least 47 people and decimating the town centre.
On July 6, 2013, a Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway freight train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.
Seventy-three tanker cars plunged into the town’s downtown area and erupted in massive fireballs.
At least 47 people were killed and over 30 buildings were destroyed in one of Canada’s deadliest rail disasters.
Investigations blamed brake failures and inadequate safety procedures following the abandoned engine incident.
The catastrophe highlighted the dangers of transporting volatile crude oil by rail through populated areas.
Regulatory reforms were adopted to strengthen rail safety standards and emergency response measures.
derails
Lac-Mégantic, Quebec
2021day.year
An Antonov An-26 operating as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251 crashes on approach to Palana Airport, killing all 28 aboard.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251, an Antonov An-26, crashed on approach to Palana Airport in 2021, killing all 28 people on board.
On July 6, 2021, an Antonov An-26 aircraft operated by Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air crashed near Palana Airport in Russia’s Far East.
The plane went down in poor weather conditions during its final approach over rugged terrain.
All 28 passengers and crew members were killed in the accident, with no survivors.
Initial reports cited potential pilot error and heavy fog as contributing factors.
Russian aviation authorities launched an official investigation into the crash circumstances.
The tragedy underscored the challenges of operating flights in remote and adverse weather regions.
2021
Antonov An-26
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251
Palana Airport