1622day.year
A hurricane overruns a Spanish fleet bound from Havana to Cadiz and sinks the galleon Atocha. Only five men are rescued, but 260 passengers and 200 million pesos are buried with the Atocha under 50 feet of water.
In 1622, a powerful hurricane struck a Spanish treasure fleet, sinking the galleon Atocha and burying its vast riches beneath the waves.
Transporting New World silver and valuables, the Spanish fleet set sail from Havana for Cadiz.
On September 5, 1622, a sudden hurricane slammed into the convoy near the Florida Keys, scattering the ships.
The flagship galleon Atocha was torn apart and sank beneath 50 feet of water, carrying 260 souls and immense treasure.
Only five survivors were rescued from the storm-tossed wreckage, while gold, silver and gems rested on the seabed.
The lost treasure remained a legendary lure until its rediscovery by salvage divers centuries later.
1622
galleon Atocha
1666day.year
Great Fire of London ends: Ten thousand buildings, including Old St Paul's Cathedral, are destroyed, but only six people are known to have died.
The Great Fire of London, which had raged for four days, finally burned out on September 5, 1666, after destroying much of the medieval city.
The catastrophic blaze began in a bakery on Pudding Lane and swept through London's dense wooden neighborhoods.
By September 5, 1666, shifting winds died down, allowing firebreaks to halt the inferno's advance.
The fire consumed over 13,000 houses, St Paul's Cathedral in its medieval form, and numerous churches.
Miraculously, official records cite only six verified fatalities, though the true death toll may have been higher.
The devastation prompted a massive rebuilding effort led by Sir Christopher Wren, reshaping London's architecture.
1666
Great Fire of London
Old St Paul's Cathedral
1887day.year
A fire at the Theatre Royal, Exeter kills 186, making it the UK's deadliest ever building fire.
A devastating fire broke out at the Theatre Royal in Exeter on September 5, 1887, killing 186 people and becoming the deadliest building fire in British history.
On the evening of September 5, 1887, a fire erupted during a packed performance at the Theatre Royal in Exeter. The blaze spread rapidly through the wooden structure, trapping many audience members inside. Poor fire safety measures and limited escape routes contributed to the high death toll of 186. The tragedy prompted a nationwide review of building regulations and led to stricter fire safety standards in public venues. To this day, it remains the deadliest building fire recorded in the United Kingdom.
1887
fire at the Theatre Royal, Exeter
1954day.year
KLM Flight 633 crashes into the River Shannon in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland, killing 28.
KLM Flight 633 crashes into the River Shannon near Shannon, Ireland, resulting in the deaths of 28 people.
On September 5, 1954, KLM Flight 633 crashed upon landing into the River Shannon near Shannon, Ireland, killing 28 of the 52 passengers and crew.
The Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation overshot the runway in poor visibility and struck the water.
Rescue efforts by local fishermen and airport personnel saved 24 survivors from the river.
The accident prompted reviews of landing procedures and improvements in airport safety at Shannon.
It remains one of the most serious aviation disasters in Irish history.
1954
KLM Flight 633
River Shannon
Shannon, County Clare
Ireland
1996day.year
Hurricane Fran makes landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina as a Category 3 storm with 115 mph sustained winds. Fran caused over $3 billion in damage and killed 27 people.
Hurricane Fran struck near Cape Fear, North Carolina as a Category 3 hurricane, causing over $3 billion in damage and resulting in 27 fatalities.
On September 5, 1996, Hurricane Fran made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 115 mph.
The slow-moving storm battered the coast with intense winds, heavy rainfall, and a significant storm surge.
Fran caused widespread flooding, toppled trees, and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
Economic losses exceeded $3 billion, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history at the time.
Emergency responders carried out extensive rescue operations amid flooded roads and downed power lines.
The storm's impact prompted improvements in coastal evacuation planning and strengthened building codes across the region.
1996
Hurricane Fran
Cape Fear
North Carolina
Category 3
2005day.year
Mandala Airlines Flight 091 crashes after takeoff from Polonia International Airport in Medan, Indonesia, killing 149.
Mandala Airlines Flight 091 crashed shortly after takeoff from Polonia International Airport in Medan, Indonesia, resulting in 149 fatalities.
On September 5, 2005, Mandala Airlines Flight 091 crashed moments after taking off from Polonia International Airport in Medan, Indonesia.
The Boeing 737-200 aircraft lost control and plunged into a densely populated residential area.
All 112 passengers and crew on board perished, along with 37 people on the ground.
Rescue teams faced challenges navigating through burning wreckage and collapsed buildings.
The tragedy is one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Indonesia, prompting safety reviews of regional carriers.
Investigations pointed to a possible cargo door malfunction and crew coordination issues as contributing factors.
2005
Mandala Airlines Flight 091
Polonia International Airport
Medan
2012day.year
An accidental explosion at a Turkish Army ammunition store in Afyon, western Turkey kills 25 soldiers and wounds four others.
An accidental explosion at a Turkish Army ammunition depot in Afyon killed 25 soldiers and injured four others.
In the early hours of September 5, 2012, an ammunition store operated by the Turkish Army in Afyon, western Turkey, experienced a massive accidental explosion.
The blast occurred during routine handling of munitions and devastated nearby storage facilities.
Twenty-five soldiers lost their lives, and four others were seriously wounded in the incident.
Local authorities secured the area and launched an investigation into safety protocols and storage practices.
The explosion raised concerns over military base safety and prompted calls for stricter munitions handling regulations.
Commemorations were held for the fallen soldiers, and measures were implemented to prevent similar accidents.
2012
accidental explosion
Afyon
2022day.year
At least 93 people die and 25 are missing after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes Sichuan, China.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Sichuan, China, killing at least 93 people and leaving 25 missing.
On September 5, 2022, a powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the mountainous Sichuan province in southwestern China.
The tremor caused extensive structural damage in multiple towns, toppling buildings and triggering landslides.
At least 93 people lost their lives, and dozens more were reported missing amid the rubble.
Rescue teams and volunteers worked around the clock to search for survivors and provide emergency aid.
Local authorities set up temporary shelters and mobilized medical personnel to treat the injured.
The disaster underscored the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and the importance of disaster preparedness.
magnitude 6.8 earthquake
Sichuan