1922day.year
A typhoon hits Shantou, Republic of China, killing more than 50,000 people.
A catastrophic typhoon devastates Shantou, China, claiming over 50,000 lives and leveling entire communities.
On August 2, 1922, a powerful typhoon made landfall near Shantou in the Republic of China, bringing extreme winds and a massive storm surge. The cyclone inundated coastal villages, destroyed homes, and washed away farmland, leaving tens of thousands homeless. Rescue efforts were hampered by flooded roads and destroyed infrastructure. Medical supplies and fresh water became scarce, leading to outbreaks of disease in the aftermath. Relief teams from nearby provinces provided aid, but the scale of the disaster overwhelmed local authorities. The typhoon’s legacy prompted improvements in weather monitoring and disaster preparedness along China’s southeastern coast.
1922
A typhoon
Shantou
Republic of China
1947day.year
A British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian airliner crashes into a mountain during a flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile. The wreckage would not be found until 1998.
An Avro Lancastrian airliner crashes into a mountain between Argentina and Chile, vanishing until 1998.
On August 2, 1947, a British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian airliner en route from Buenos Aires to Santiago tragically flew into a remote mountain in the Andes.
All passengers and crew aboard perished in the impact.
Severe weather conditions and limited navigation aids contributed to the crash.
Despite extensive search efforts, the wreckage remained undiscovered for over 50 years.
In 1998, climbers stumbled upon the site, bringing closure to one of aviation history’s enduring mysteries.
The accident underscored the challenges of early long-distance air travel and mountain navigation.
1947
British South American Airways
Avro Lancastrian
crashes into a mountain
Buenos Aires
Santiago
1968day.year
An earthquake hits Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines killing more than 270 people and wounding 261.
A powerful earthquake strikes Casiguran in the Philippines, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
On August 2, 1968, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook the coastal town of Casiguran in the Aurora province of the Philippines.
The seismic event collapsed buildings, triggered landslides, and severed communication lines.
More than 270 people lost their lives, and over 260 were injured.
Local infrastructure, including roads and bridges, suffered extensive damage.
Relief operations faced challenges due to remote terrain and damaged transport routes.
The quake prompted reforms in Philippine building codes and disaster preparedness measures.
1968
earthquake
Casiguran, Aurora
Philippines
1973day.year
A flash fire kills 50 people at the Summerland amusement centre at Douglas, Isle of Man.
A devastating flash fire engulfs the Summerland amusement centre on the Isle of Man, killing 50.
On August 2, 1973, a sudden flash fire broke out at the Summerland leisure centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
Combustible building materials and a lack of adequate fire exits worsened the disaster.
Fifty visitors lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest fires in British history.
Many victims were trapped on upper floors as flames spread rapidly.
The tragedy led to a major overhaul of fire safety regulations in public buildings.
Summerland’s legacy influenced modern standards for fire-resistant construction and evacuation planning.
1973
Summerland
Douglas, Isle of Man
1980day.year
A bomb explodes at the railway station in Bologna, Italy, killing 85 people and wounding more than 200.
A bomb detonates at Bologna railway station, killing 85 and injuring over 200 in one of Italy’s worst terrorist attacks.
On August 2, 1980, a suitcase bomb exploded in the crowded waiting room of Bologna’s main railway station.
The blast killed 85 people and wounded more than 200.
Witnesses described chaos as walls collapsed and survivors searched for loved ones amid the rubble.
The attack was later linked to far-right extremist groups in Italy’s 'Years of Lead.'
Judicial investigations and trials spanned decades, seeking justice for the victims.
The Bologna massacre remains a painful symbol of domestic terrorism and political violence in Italy.
1980
bomb explodes
railway station in Bologna, Italy
1985day.year
Delta Air Lines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, crashes at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport killing 137.
A Delta Air Lines Lockheed L-1011 TriStar encounters a deadly microburst on approach to Dallas/Fort Worth and crashes, claiming 137 lives.
On August 2, 1985, Delta Air Lines Flight 191 approached Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport amid thunderstorm activity. The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar encountered a powerful wind shear and microburst, causing a sudden loss of lift. The aircraft descended rapidly, striking runway lights and flipping onto a taxiway. Of the 163 passengers and crew aboard, 137 perished, making it one of the deadliest U.S. aviation accidents of the era. The crash prompted major advances in wind shear detection and pilot training, leading to enhanced flight safety systems worldwide.
1985
Delta Air Lines Flight 191
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
1999day.year
The Gaisal train disaster claims 285 lives in Assam, India.
A devastating head-on collision between two passenger trains in Gaisal, Assam, kills around 285 people.
In the pre-dawn hours of August 2, 1999, the Assam Mail and the Avadh Assam Express collided near Gaisal station in India's remote northeast. Signaling errors and miscommunication led both trains onto the same track at high speed. The impact and subsequent fire engulfed carriages, making rescue efforts difficult in the rural terrain. Official reports confirmed approximately 285 fatalities and extensive infrastructure damage. The tragedy spurred calls for improved railway safety systems and stricter enforcement of signaling protocols across Indian Railways.
1999
Gaisal train disaster
Assam
2005day.year
Air France Flight 358 lands at Toronto Pearson International Airport and runs off the runway, causing the plane to burst into flames, leaving 12 injuries and no fatalities.
During a rain-soaked landing, Air France Flight 358 overruns the runway at Toronto Pearson, bursting into flames but resulting in no fatalities.
On August 2, 2005, an Airbus A340 operating as Air France Flight 358 from Paris faced heavy rain and wind shear upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport. The aircraft hydroplaned and failed to stop on runway 24L, skidding down an embankment before coming to rest and erupting in flames. All 309 occupants evacuated using emergency slides; 12 passengers sustained minor injuries. The incident highlighted the importance of runway surface conditions and reinforced the need for enhanced safety procedures under adverse weather conditions.
2005
Air France Flight 358
Toronto Pearson International Airport
2014day.year
At least 146 people were killed and more than 114 injured in a factory explosion in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China.
A massive explosion at an industrial facility in Kunshan, China, kills 146 workers and injures over 114.
On August 2, 2014, a factory in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, suffered a catastrophic blast during busy working hours. The explosion ripped through the production lines, triggering fires and structural collapses. Emergency services rushed to the scene, battling intense flames and rescuing survivors from the debris. Chinese authorities launched investigations into safety violations and enforced stricter regulations across similar facilities. The disaster underscored the risks of rapid industrial expansion without adequate safety measures in China's manufacturing sector.
2014
factory explosion in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China