1871day.year
An explosion of guncotton occurs in Stowmarket, England, killing 28.
A guncotton storage explosion in Stowmarket tragically kills 28 people and devastates the community.
On August 11, 1871, a depot in Stowmarket, Suffolk, housing the newly developed explosive guncotton, detonated without warning.
The blast leveled nearby buildings, claiming the lives of 28 workers and residents and injuring dozens more.
Guncotton, an early form of nitrocellulose, was prized for its power but notoriously unstable under certain conditions.
The disaster spurred nationwide investigations into the manufacturing and storage of industrial explosives.
Subsequent reforms introduced stricter safety regulations and handling protocols across Britain.
The Stowmarket explosion remains a landmark event in the history of industrial accident prevention.
1871
explosion of guncotton occurs in Stowmarket
1979day.year
Two Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-134s collide over the Ukrainian city of Dniprodzerzhynsk and crash, killing all 178 aboard both airliners.
On August 11, 1979, two Aeroflot Tu-134 airliners collided in mid-air over Dniprodzerzhynsk, Ukraine, killing all 178 people aboard.
The catastrophic mid-air collision occurred under unclear air traffic control conditions, resulting in the loss of 178 lives. Both Tupolev Tu-134 jets were operating civilian passenger services when they crossed paths at cruising altitude. Soviet authorities launched an extensive investigation to identify procedural failures. The disaster prompted reforms in air traffic management and collision-avoidance protocols within the USSR. It remains one of the deadliest mid-air collisions in aviation history.
1979
Aeroflot
Tupolev Tu-134s
collide
Ukrainian
Dniprodzerzhynsk
1982day.year
A bomb explodes on Pan Am Flight 830, en route from Tokyo, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii, killing one passenger and injuring 15 others.
On August 11, 1982, a bomb detonated aboard Pan Am Flight 830 en route from Tokyo to Honolulu, killing one passenger and injuring 15 others.
Shortly after departing Tokyo, an explosive device concealed in the cabin detonated on Pan Am Flight 830, causing a breach in the fuselage. One passenger tragically lost their life, and 15 others were wounded before the aircraft made an emergency diversion. Investigators determined the blast was the result of a deliberately planted bomb, leading to heightened airport security procedures worldwide. The incident underscored vulnerabilities in commercial aviation and spurred the adoption of improved baggage screening technologies. Pan American World Airways and international regulators reviewed safety standards in the wake of the tragedy.
1982
Pan Am Flight 830
Tokyo, Japan
Honolulu, Hawaii
2000day.year
An air rage incident occurs on board Southwest Airlines Flight 1763 when 19-year-old Jonathan Burton attempts to storm the cockpit, but he is subdued by other passengers and dies from his injuries.
On August 11, 2000, 19-year-old Jonathan Burton attempted to storm the cockpit of Southwest Airlines Flight 1763, was restrained by passengers, and later died from his injuries.
On August 11, 2000, a serious air rage incident unfolded aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 1763 when Jonathan Burton attempted to forcibly enter the cockpit. Fellow passengers and crew intervened to subdue him, preventing a potential disaster. During the struggle, Burton sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a medical facility. The incident prompted airlines to review in-flight security protocols and emergency response procedures. Southwest Airlines and regulatory bodies strengthened training for crew members to manage disruptive passengers. The tragedy remains a stark reminder of the critical importance of vigilance and preparedness in aviation safety.
2000
air rage
Southwest Airlines Flight 1763
2006day.year
The oil tanker MT Solar 1 sinks off the coast of Guimaras and Negros Islands in the Philippines, causing the country's worst oil spill.
On August 11, 2006, the MT Solar 1 sank off Guimaras Island in the Philippines, triggering the country's worst oil spill.
On August 11, 2006, the MT Solar 1 sank off the coasts of Guimaras and Negros Islands, releasing thousands of tons of bunker fuel into the surrounding waters. The spill contaminated hundreds of square kilometers of marine habitat and devastated coral reefs, mangrove forests, and local fisheries. Nearly 200 coastal communities were affected, displacing residents and threatening livelihoods. Government agencies, environmental groups, and volunteers launched a massive cleanup and rehabilitation effort along the shorelines. The disaster prompted the Philippine government to strengthen maritime safety regulations and oil spill response protocols. It remains a stark reminder of the environmental risks posed by maritime transport and a case study in pollution management.
2006
oil tanker
Guimaras
Negros
Philippines
worst oil spill
2012day.year
At least 306 people are killed and 3,000 others injured in a pair of earthquakes near Tabriz, Iran.
A pair of powerful earthquakes struck near Tabriz, Iran, on August 11, 2012, causing over 300 fatalities and thousands of injuries.
On August 11, 2012, two strong earthquakes measuring approximately 6.4 and 6.3 in magnitude struck the region around Tabriz in northwestern Iran. The tremors caused widespread destruction in rural villages, collapsing homes and damaging critical infrastructure. Local authorities and rescue teams worked through the night to extricate survivors from the rubble and provide urgent medical care. Official tallies reported at least 306 deaths and over 3,000 injuries, making it one of the deadliest seismic events in the area in years. The government declared a state of emergency and mobilized resources nationwide for relief and reconstruction. Efforts to rebuild focused on improving building standards to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes.
2012
a pair of earthquakes
Tabriz, Iran
2017day.year
At least 41 people are killed and another 179 injured after two passenger trains collide in Alexandria, Egypt.
On August 11, 2017, two passenger trains collided near Alexandria, Egypt, resulting in at least 41 deaths and 179 injuries.
On August 11, 2017, a head-on collision occurred between a local passenger train and a first-class express train on the Cairo-Alexandria line in Egypt. The crash caused multiple carriages to derail and ignited fires in several cars. Emergency responders worked through challenging conditions to rescue trapped passengers and transport the injured to medical facilities. The accident claimed 41 lives and left 179 individuals with injuries ranging from minor cuts to severe burns. Investigations pointed to signaling failures and human error as contributing factors. The disaster prompted urgent calls for modernization of Egypt's railway infrastructure and led authorities to commit to upgrading safety systems and staff training.
2017
collide
Alexandria
Egypt