1883day.year
A moderate earthquake measuring magnitude 4.3–5.2 strikes the Italian island of Ischia, killing over 2,300 people.
A magnitude 4.3–5.2 earthquake struck Italy's Ischia island, causing widespread destruction and claiming over 2,300 lives.
In the early hours of July 28, 1883, a moderate but deadly earthquake shook the volcanic island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples. The tremors collapsed buildings in Casamicciola and Lacco Ameno, trapping hundreds of residents under rubble and igniting fires across the towns. The island's rugged terrain and limited infrastructure hampered rescue and relief efforts, exacerbating the human toll. The quake prompted some of the first systematic studies in seismology as scientists sought to understand Italy's frequent seismic activity. Reconstruction efforts reshaped Ischia's architecture, blending newer construction methods with the island's traditional charm. Memorials and historical studies of the event continue to honor those lost and offer lessons for modern earthquake preparedness.
1883
moderate earthquake
Ischia
1938day.year
Hawaii Clipper disappears between Guam and Manila as the first loss of an airliner in trans-Pacific China Clipper service.
Pan American’s Hawaii Clipper seaplane vanishes between Guam and Manila on the China Clipper route, marking its first trans-Pacific airliner loss.
On July 28, 1938, the Hawaii Clipper, a Martin M-130 flying boat operated by Pan American Airways, disappeared while en route from Guam to Manila. Carrying 14 crew members, it lost radio contact under clear weather conditions. No wreckage was ever recovered, making it one of aviation’s enduring mysteries. The aircraft was part of the pioneering China Clipper service that began trans-Pacific mail and passenger flights in 1935. Its disappearance prompted investigations into flight procedures and safety protocols. The incident underscored the challenges of early long-distance overwater aviation and led to improvements in navigation equipment and emergency response planning.
1938
Hawaii Clipper
Guam
Manila
China Clipper
1945day.year
A U.S. Army B-25 bomber crashes into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building killing 14 and injuring 26.
A U.S. Army B-25 bomber accidentally crashes into the Empire State Building amidst dense fog, causing casualties and structural damage.
On July 28, 1945, heavy fog over New York City led pilot Lieutenant Colonel William Smith to lose visibility while flying a B-25 Mitchell bomber. The aircraft struck the 79th floor of the Empire State Building, piercing multiple floors and igniting interior offices. Fourteen people were killed, including the pilot and co-pilot, and twenty-six were injured. Remarkably, the building’s steel frame withstood the impact, and elevators halted just short of the crash site. Cleanup and repairs were completed within weeks, showcasing the skyscraper’s resilience. The incident became a famous anecdote in the building’s history and highlighted the hazards of early air navigation in urban environments.
1945
B-25
crashes
Empire State Building
1957day.year
Heavy rain and a mudslide in Isahaya, western Kyushu, Japan, kills 992.
A devastating mudslide triggered by torrential rains in Isahaya, Japan, kills nearly a thousand people.
On July 28, 1957, prolonged heavy rainfall from a seasonal tsuyu front saturated the slopes above Isahaya on Kyushu Island. The deluge triggered a catastrophic mudslide that engulfed a riverbank flood-control dam and nearby villages. Approximately 992 residents lost their lives as homes were swept away or buried under debris. Rescue efforts were hampered by continuous rain and terrain instability. The tragedy stood as one of postwar Japan’s worst natural disasters and prompted nationwide reforms in landslide monitoring and flood management. Memorials erected at the site honor the victims and serve as reminders of the ongoing risk from Japan’s seasonal weather patterns.
1957
Isahaya
Kyushu, Japan
1976day.year
The Tangshan earthquake measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 moment magnitude flattens Tangshan in the People's Republic of China, killing 242,769 and injuring 164,851.
A massive earthquake strikes Tangshan, China, devastating the city and causing one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.
On July 28, 1976, a devastating earthquake struck the industrial city of Tangshan in northeastern China.
Measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 on the moment magnitude scale, it flattened much of the city.
Official reports recorded over 242,000 fatalities and nearly 165,000 injuries, making it one of history’s deadliest quakes.
Buildings collapsed within seconds, trapping countless residents under rubble and dust.
Rescue efforts were hindered by damaged infrastructure and limited communication.
The tragedy prompted the Chinese government to reevaluate building codes and disaster preparedness.
1976
Tangshan earthquake
moment magnitude
Tangshan
2002day.year
Nine coal miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, are rescued after 77 hours underground.
In Pennsylvania, nine trapped coal miners are miraculously rescued after being trapped for 77 hours in the flooded Quecreek Mine.
On July 28, 2002, nine coal miners were rescued after surviving 77 hours trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine in Pennsylvania.
The miners had breached an adjacent abandoned mine, causing water to flood their working chamber.
Rescue teams drilled a borehole large enough to hoist each man to safety one by one.
The successful operation captured national attention and highlighted modern rescue engineering.
Following the incident, mining safety regulations and emergency response protocols were reviewed and strengthened.
2002
coal miners
Quecreek Mine
Somerset County, Pennsylvania
2002day.year
Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 9560 crashes after takeoff from Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, Russia, killing 14 of the 16 people on board.
A cargo flight crashes shortly after takeoff from Sheremetyevo in Moscow, killing 14 of 16 on board.
On July 28, 2002, Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 9560 crashed shortly after takeoff from Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow.
The cargo Antonov An-12BP went down amid challenging weather conditions, killing 14 of 16 on board.
The accident prompted investigations into aircraft maintenance procedures and flight safety standards.
Rescue teams faced difficulties reaching the crash site due to heavy fog and debris.
The tragedy underscored the risks associated with cargo aviation and led to safety reforms in Russia’s air transport sector.
Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 9560
Sheremetyevo International Airport
Moscow
Russia
2010day.year
Airblue Flight 202 crashes into the Margalla Hills north of Islamabad, Pakistan, killing all 152 people aboard. It is the deadliest aviation accident in Pakistan history and the first involving an Airbus A321.
Airblue Flight 202 crashed into the Margalla Hills near Islamabad, killing all 152 people onboard in Pakistan's deadliest aviation disaster.
On July 28, 2010, Airblue Flight 202 departed Karachi for Islamabad aboard an Airbus A321. As it approached Islamabad, the aircraft descended below the safe minimum altitude in poor weather conditions. The plane collided with the Margalla Hills north of the city, causing a catastrophic crash. All 152 passengers and crew members perished in the accident. This remains the deadliest aviation disaster in Pakistan's history. Investigation reports highlighted pilot error and inadequate air traffic control communication. The tragedy led to calls for improved pilot training and stricter safety protocols within the country's aviation sector.
2010
Airblue Flight 202
Margalla Hills
Islamabad, Pakistan
Airbus A321
2011day.year
While flying from Seoul, South Korea to Shanghai, China, Asiana Airlines Flight 991 develops an in-flight fire in the cargo hold. The Boeing 747-400F freighter attempts to divert to Jeju International Airport, but crashes into the sea South-West of Jeju island, killing both crew members on board.
Asiana Airlines Flight 991 experienced a cargo hold fire and crashed into the sea near Jeju Island, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.
On July 28, 2011, Asiana Airlines Flight 991, a Boeing 747-400F freighter, took off from Seoul en route to Shanghai carrying automotive parts. Shortly into the flight, a fire erupted in the cargo hold, prompting the crew to declare an emergency. The pilots attempted to divert to Jeju International Airport to make an emergency landing. Despite their efforts, the aircraft disappeared from radar and crashed into the waters southwest of Jeju Island. Both crew members on board were killed. Search and rescue operations recovered debris and the flight data recorder. The incident underscored the dangers of in-flight fires and led to reviews of fire detection and suppression systems on cargo aircraft.
2011
Seoul
South Korea
Shanghai
China
Asiana Airlines Flight 991
Boeing 747-400F
Jeju International Airport
Jeju island
2022day.year
Catastrophic floods devastate Eastern Kentucky, resulting in 45 fatalities and causing damage to thousands of homes and businesses.
Deadly floods inundated Eastern Kentucky in 2022, causing 45 fatalities and extensive damage to homes and businesses.
In late July 2022, unprecedented rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding across multiple counties in Eastern Kentucky. Rivers and streams overflowed, submerging roads, homes, and critical infrastructure. The deluge claimed 45 lives and displaced thousands of residents from their communities. Rescue and relief operations involved local volunteers, the National Guard, and federal agencies racing to provide aid. Entire neighborhoods were swept away, with power and communication lines downed across the region. The disaster spotlighted ongoing concerns about climate resilience and rural preparedness. In the aftermath, efforts focused on rebuilding, strengthening flood defenses, and supporting survivors in the long road to recovery.
2022
Catastrophic floods
Eastern Kentucky