July 26

On July 26, 1963, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked Skopje, then in Yugoslavia, now North Macedonia. The tremor leveled entire neighborhoods and left tens of thousands homeless. Rescue operations were hampered by aftershocks and damaged infrastructure. The disaster prompted an international relief effort with aid arriving from over 80 countries. Reconstruction of Skopje became a symbol of global solidarity during the Cold War. Architects redesigned the city center with modernist influences, introducing innovative urban planning. The event remains a defining moment in Skopje’s history.

On July 26, 1993, Asiana Airlines Flight 733 crashed into a ridge on Mt. Ungeo during its third landing attempt at Mokpo Airport. The flight encountered poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. Out of the 116 passengers and crew aboard, 68 tragically lost their lives. The accident prompted investigations into pilot decision-making and airport approach procedures. It led to safety recommendations aimed at improving landing protocols under challenging conditions. The crash remains one of South Korea’s most serious aviation disasters.

On July 26, 2005, Mumbai experienced a record rainfall of 99.5 centimeters in a single day. The unprecedented downpour overwhelmed drainage systems and rivers, causing major flooding across the city. Over 5,000 people lost their lives as homes collapsed and floodwaters surged through densely populated areas. Transportation networks were paralyzed, leaving millions stranded and hindering relief efforts. The disaster prompted reviews of urban planning, infrastructure resilience, and emergency response protocols. It remains one of the deadliest rain-related disasters in India’s history.

On July 26, 2011, a Royal Moroccan Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Guelmim Airport. All 80 military personnel and crew aboard were killed in the tragic accident. Poor weather conditions and potential technical failures were investigated as contributing factors. The crash represented one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Morocco’s military history. Authorities conducted thorough inquiries to improve flight safety protocols. The loss deeply affected the Moroccan armed forces and prompted reviews of aircraft maintenance practices.