1139day.year
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes the Caucasus mountains in the Seljuk Empire, causing mass destruction and killing up to 300,000 people.
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the Caucasus in 1139, causing widespread devastation and killing up to 300,000 people.
In 1139, a catastrophic magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Caucasus mountains within the Seljuk Empire. The tremors leveled entire towns and reshaped mountain slopes. Contemporary accounts estimate that up to 300,000 people perished in the disaster. The quake disrupted trade routes and sent shockwaves throughout the medieval Islamic world. Relief efforts were hampered by the rugged terrain and limited infrastructure of the era.
1139
magnitude 7.7 earthquake
Caucasus
Seljuk Empire
1945day.year
The Bourne End rail crash, in Hertfordshire, England, kills 43.
A devastating rail crash in Bourne End, Hertfordshire kills 43 people when a passenger train derails.
On September 30, 1945, a Grand Central excursion train from London to High Wycombe derailed at Bourne End station in Hertfordshire. The locomotive entered a sharp curve at excessive speed and was thrown onto the platform, causing several carriages to overturn. The crash claimed 43 lives and injured many more passengers, shocking the nation in the postwar period. Rescue efforts were hampered by darkness and limited resources, as many emergency services were still recovering from wartime demands. The official inquiry attributed the accident to driver error and prompted a review of speed regulations on British railways. Improvements in track design, signaling, and driver training followed to enhance rail safety.
1945
Bourne End rail crash
1975day.year
Malév Flight 240 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while on approach to Beirut International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 60.
Malév Flight 240 crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Beirut on September 30, 1975, killing all 60 people on board.
Malév Hungarian Airlines Flight 240 was en route from Budapest to Beirut with 60 passengers and crew.
While on approach to Beirut International Airport on September 30, 1975, the aircraft suddenly plunged into the Mediterranean Sea.
Weather conditions and potential mechanical issues were investigated, but theories about hostile fire were also considered.
No survivors were recovered, and the exact cause of the crash remains officially undetermined.
The tragedy highlighted the challenges of civil aviation in a region marked by political instability.
Memorials in Hungary and Lebanon commemorate those lost in one of the era’s most puzzling air disasters.
1975
Malév Flight 240
Mediterranean Sea
Beirut International Airport
Beirut
Lebanon
1993day.year
The 6.2 Mw Latur earthquake shakes Maharashtra, India with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe) killing 9,748 and injuring 30,000.
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes the Latur region of Maharashtra, India, causing severe damage and high casualties.
On September 30, 1993, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Latur in Maharashtra, India. It registered a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), leveling buildings across multiple villages. The quake destroyed homes, schools, and infrastructure, leaving survivors exposed to the elements. Rescue and relief efforts were hampered by damaged roads and limited access to remote areas. Official reports documented 9,748 fatalities and approximately 30,000 injuries. The disaster prompted changes in construction standards and emergency preparedness in the region.
1993
Latur earthquake
Mercalli intensity
1999day.year
The Tokaimura nuclear accident causes the deaths of two technicians in Japan's second-worst nuclear accident.
A criticality accident at a uranium processing facility in Tokaimura, Japan, results in the deaths of two technicians.
On September 30, 1999, a severe nuclear accident occurred at a uranium conversion plant in Tokaimura, Japan. Workers were preparing fuel for a research reactor when an uncontrolled chain reaction took place. Two technicians received lethal radiation doses and later succumbed to their injuries. Dozens of other workers and nearby residents were exposed to radiation and required medical evaluation. This incident remains Japan's second-worst nuclear accident after Chernobyl in terms of radiation release. It led to reforms in nuclear safety protocols and stricter oversight of fuel processing operations.
1999
Tokaimura nuclear accident
2009day.year
The 7.6 Mw Sumatra earthquake leaves 1,115 people dead.
A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, killing over a thousand people.
On September 30, 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake generated strong tremors felt across Aceh province and neighboring regions. Buildings and infrastructure suffered extensive damage, with many schools and homes destroyed. The official death toll reached 1,115, and thousands more were injured or displaced. Relief efforts were challenged by aftershocks and damaged roads. The disaster underscored the region's vulnerability to seismic events and prompted updates to local emergency preparedness plans.
2009
Sumatra earthquake
2016day.year
Hurricane Matthew becomes a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest hurricane to form in the Caribbean Sea since 2007.
Hurricane Matthew intensifies into a Category 5 storm, marking the strongest hurricane formation in the Caribbean Sea since 2007.
On September 30, 2016, Hurricane Matthew reached Category 5 strength over the Caribbean Sea. The storm unleashed sustained winds exceeding 160 mph and a significant storm surge. It caused catastrophic damage, resulting in widespread flooding, loss of life, and displacement. The hurricane affected Haiti, the Bahamas, and parts of Cuba with devastating force. Matthew's rapid intensification caught many communities off guard and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. The event highlighted the need for improved storm forecasting and disaster preparedness in the region.
2016
Hurricane Matthew