1953day.year
The 7.2 Ms Ionian earthquake shakes the southern Ionian Islands with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). Between 445 and 800 people are killed.
A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Ionian Islands on August 12, 1953, causing extreme damage and hundreds of deaths.
The 1953 Ionian earthquake occurred off the western coast of Greece, affecting Cephalonia, Zakynthos, and Ithaca.
With a magnitude of 7.2 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X, buildings collapsed and roads were destroyed.
Between 445 and 800 people lost their lives, and thousands were injured or left homeless.
Tsunamis and aftershocks worsened the devastation in coastal communities.
International relief efforts provided medical aid, food, and shelter to survivors.
Reconstruction of the islands took years, reshaping local architecture and disaster preparedness measures.
Ionian earthquake
Ionian Islands
Mercalli intensity
1985day.year
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 crashes into Osutaka ridge in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, killing 520, to become the worst single-plane air disaster.
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 crashes into Mount Osutaka, killing 520 passengers and crew in history’s deadliest single-aircraft accident.
On August 12, 1985, Japan Air Lines Flight 123, a Boeing 747SR, suffered an explosive decompression and lost hydraulic controls shortly after takeoff from Tokyo. The crew attempted to return to Haneda Airport, but the damaged aircraft lost stability and crashed into the slopes of Mount Osutaka in Gunma Prefecture. Of the 524 people on board, 520 perished in the catastrophe, making it the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history. Only four passengers survived the impact, enduring extreme injuries and exposure before rescue teams arrived. The subsequent investigation revealed that improper repairs to the aircraft’s rear pressure bulkhead had led to the catastrophic failure. This tragedy prompted global changes in maintenance procedures and safety regulations for commercial airlines. To this day, Flight 123 remains a sobering reminder of the critical importance of aircraft maintenance and emergency preparedness.
1985
Japan Air Lines Flight 123
Osutaka
Gunma Prefecture
2000day.year
The Russian Navy submarine Kursk explodes and sinks in the Barents Sea during a military exercise, killing her entire 118-man crew.
The Russian nuclear submarine Kursk suffers a catastrophic explosion during a naval exercise in the Barents Sea, resulting in the loss of all 118 crew members.
The Kursk, an Oscar II-class nuclear submarine of the Russian Navy, experienced a sudden internal explosion on August 12, 2000. Within minutes, the vessel sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea at a depth exceeding 100 meters. Russian authorities faced criticism for delays and mismanagement during rescue attempts, prompting international offers of assistance that were initially refused. All 118 crew members perished due to the explosion and subsequent flooding. The tragedy exposed shortcomings in submarine safety protocols and led to reforms in Russian naval procedures and international rescue cooperation.
2000
Russian Navy
Kursk
explodes and sinks
Barents Sea
military exercise
2015day.year
At least two massive explosions kill 173 people and injure nearly 800 more in Tianjin, China.
Two massive explosions at a chemical storage facility in Tianjin, China kill at least 173 people and injure nearly 800 others.
On August 12, 2015, a chemical warehouse near the port of Tianjin suffered two enormous blasts that registered like a small earthquake. The explosions, triggered by the detonation of hazardous substances such as sodium cyanide and nitrocellulose, caused widespread destruction of nearby buildings and vehicles. Emergency responders faced dangerous conditions due to lingering toxic fumes, complicating search and rescue operations. The incident prompted a nationwide review of chemical storage regulations and resulted in prosecutions of local officials for negligence. Public outrage over delayed information releases and environmental concerns spurred calls for greater transparency in industrial oversight.
2015
two massive explosions
Tianjin