1954day.year
The Japanese rail ferry Tōya Maru sinks during a typhoon in the Tsugaru Strait, Japan, killing 1,172.
On September 26, 1954, the Japanese rail ferry Tōya Maru capsized in a typhoon in the Tsugaru Strait, claiming 1,172 lives.
The Tōya Maru provided a vital link between Honshu and Hokkaido through the Tsugaru Strait. Caught in the fierce winds and high seas of Typhoon Marie, the ferry faced severe stability challenges. On the night of September 26, 1954, it capsized, sending rail cars and passengers into the turbulent waters. Harrowing rescue efforts were hampered by the storm’s intensity. The disaster led to sweeping safety reforms in Japan’s maritime regulations and ferry design standards. Memorials today honor the victims and remind us of nature’s formidable power.
1954
Tōya Maru
1959day.year
Typhoon Vera, the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in recorded history, makes landfall, killing 4,580 people and leaving nearly 1.6 million others homeless.
Typhoon Vera, Japan’s most powerful recorded storm, struck on September 26, 1959, causing over 4,580 deaths and leaving nearly 1.6 million people homeless.
Dubbed the Isewan Typhoon, Vera barrelled into Honshu’s central coast with sustained winds exceeding 210 km/h. A massive storm surge overwhelmed protective sea walls, inundating fishing villages and urban areas around Ise Bay. The destruction of homes, factories, and farmland was catastrophic. Emergency crews grappled with flooded roads and collapsed infrastructure during relief operations. In its wake, Japan revamped its disaster management policies, constructing higher sea walls and implementing advanced early warning systems. Typhoon Vera remains a defining moment in the nation’s history of resilience and preparedness.
1959
Typhoon Vera
1978day.year
Air Caribbean Flight 309 crashes in Residencial Las Casas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, killing six.
On September 26, 1978, Air Caribbean Flight 309 crashed into the Residencial Las Casas neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico, killing six people.
Air Caribbean Flight 309, a small passenger aircraft, was on final approach to San Juan’s Isla Verde International Airport when it lost altitude. The plane crashed into the Residencial Las Casas housing complex, igniting fires and panic among residents. All six occupants aboard perished in the impact. First responders faced challenges navigating narrow streets to reach the burning wreckage. Investigators pointed to a combination of pilot error and mechanical issues as contributing factors. The tragedy prompted revisions to approach procedures and improved flight safety regulations in Puerto Rico.
1978
Air Caribbean Flight 309
Residencial Las Casas
San Juan, Puerto Rico
1980day.year
A terrorist bombing at the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, kills 13 people and injures 213 others.
A terrorist bombing at Munich's Oktoberfest in 1980 killed 13 people and injured over 200 others.
In 1980, a time bomb exploded at Munich's Oktoberfest, killing 13 people and injuring 213 others. Authorities later concluded the attack was carried out by a right-wing extremist group. The explosion occurred near the festival's main entrance during peak hours. Emergency crews responded swiftly but faced challenges controlling the crowd. The bombing prompted a major overhaul of security measures at mass events across Germany.
1980
terrorist bombing
Oktoberfest
Munich
1992day.year
A Nigerian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules crashes in Ejigbo, Lagos, killing 159.
A Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules crashes in Lagos, killing all 159 on board.
In 1992, a Nigerian Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff and crashed into a residential area in Ejigbo, Lagos. All 159 people on board, including crew and passengers, were killed. The accident caused significant damage to the surrounding neighborhood. The tragedy raised urgent questions about the maintenance and operational safety of military aircraft in Nigeria. Subsequent investigations led to reviews of air force protocols and safety standards.
1992
Nigerian Air Force
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
crashes
Ejigbo, Lagos
1994day.year
A Yakovlev Yak-40 crashes into a river near Vanavara, Russia, killing 24.
A Yakovlev Yak-40 crashes into a Siberian river near Vanavara, killing 24 passengers.
In 1994, a regional Yakovlev Yak-40 passenger plane crashed into a remote river near Vanavara in Siberia. Poor weather and limited visibility were cited as contributing factors to the accident. All 24 people on board perished in the crash. Rescue efforts were hampered by the area's isolation and harsh environmental conditions. The disaster prompted calls for improved aviation safety measures in Russia's Far East.
1994
Yakovlev Yak-40
crashes
Vanavara
1997day.year
A Garuda Indonesia Airbus A300 crashes near Medan airport, killing 234.
Garuda Indonesia Flight 152, an Airbus A300, crashes near Medan airport, killing all 234 aboard.
In 1997, Garuda Indonesia Flight 152, an Airbus A300, crashed during its approach to Medan's Polonia Airport amid dense cloud cover. The pilots inadvertently descended below the safe glide path and struck terrain near the runway. All 234 passengers and crew on board died, making it one of Indonesia's deadliest aviation accidents. Investigators cited navigation aid errors and communication lapses with air traffic control. The crash led to reforms in pilot training and approach procedures.
1997
Garuda Indonesia
Airbus A300
crashes
1997day.year
An earthquake strikes the Italian regions of Umbria and the Marche, causing part of the Basilica of St. Francis at Assisi to collapse.
An earthquake in central Italy damages the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
In 1997, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Italian regions of Umbria and Marche. The tremor caused part of the historic Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi to collapse. Priceless frescoes and centuries-old artworks sustained significant damage. Emergency teams worked to recover and stabilize artifacts amid the rubble. The disaster triggered an international restoration effort to preserve Italy's cultural heritage.
earthquake
2000day.year
The MS Express Samina sinks off Paros in the Aegean Sea killing 80 passengers.
The ferry MS Express Samina strikes rocks near Paros and sinks, resulting in 80 fatalities.
In 2000, the Greek ferry MS Express Samina struck submerged rocks near the island of Paros and sank rapidly. The impact tore a large hole in the vessel's side, causing it to list and flood. Passenger evacuation was chaotic amid rough seas, and 80 lives were lost. Rescue operations faced delays due to limited nearby support vessels. Investigations pointed to navigational errors and deficiencies in emergency preparedness.
MS Express Samina
2002day.year
The overcrowded Senegalese ferry, MV Le Joola, capsizes off the coast of the Gambia killing more than 1,000.
On September 26, 2002, the Senegalese ferry MV Le Joola capsized off the coast of the Gambia, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,000 lives.
On September 26, 2002, the MV Le Joola, Senegal's primary ferry service, set sail from Ziguinchor to Dakar with far more passengers than its capacity.
Overloaded and facing adverse sea conditions off the coast of The Gambia, the vessel capsized suddenly in the early hours of the morning.
Rescue operations were delayed and hampered by poor coordination, lack of life jackets, and limited search-and-rescue resources.
Only a small fraction of the estimated 1,863 people on board survived; more than 1,000 lives were tragically lost.
The disaster remains one of the worst maritime catastrophes in history, highlighting critical failures in maritime safety oversight in West Africa.
Investigations spurred reforms in ferry operations, licensing, and emergency preparedness across the region.
2002
MV Le Joola
2009day.year
Typhoon Ketsana hits the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, causing 700 fatalities.
In September 2009, Typhoon Ketsana battered the Philippines and several Southeast Asian nations, causing widespread devastation and over 700 fatalities.
Typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Ondoy in the Philippines, made landfall on September 26, 2009, as a powerful tropical storm.
It brought torrential rains and widespread flooding to Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
The storm's path continued through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, causing severe damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
In total, it claimed over 700 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Relief efforts faced challenges due to inundated roads and overwhelmed emergency services.
Ketsana's devastation underscored the vulnerability of Southeast Asian cities to intense tropical cyclones and spurred improvements in early warning systems.
2009
Typhoon Ketsana
2010day.year
The Philippine Bar exam bombing occurred near the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila injuring 47 people.
On September 26, 2010, a bomb exploded near the Philippine Bar examination venue at De La Salle University in Manila, injuring 47 people and causing chaos.
On September 26, 2010, a homemade bomb exploded near the venue of the Philippine Bar examination on Taft Avenue in Manila.
The blast occurred outside De La Salle University, where thousands of aspiring lawyers were gathered.
The explosion injured 47 people, including examinees, proctors, and bystanders, causing panic across the campus.
Authorities launched an investigation into the possible motives and suspects, exploring links to extortion or threats against the Supreme Court.
The incident prompted heightened security measures at major examination centers nationwide.
While no fatalities were reported, the bombing remains a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public gatherings in urban centers.
2010
Philippine Bar exam bombing
De La Salle University