1898day.year
The steam ship SS Mohegan sinks near the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall, killing 106.
The SS Mohegan sank off the Cornwall coast on October 14, 1898, resulting in 106 fatalities.
The steamship SS Mohegan ran aground on The Stones reef near The Lizard peninsula during a nighttime voyage from New York to Plymouth. Strong tides and navigational errors drove the vessel onto submerged rocks, causing the hull to breach. Rescue attempts by local lifeboat crews and fishermen were hampered by rough seas and darkness. Of the 197 passengers and crew on board, 106 lost their lives in the disaster. Investigations blamed the tragedy on miscalculations of the ship’s position and inadequate signaling. The sinking prompted improvements in lighthouse illumination and maritime safety protocols. Memorials erected in Cornwall honor those who perished. The Mohegan disaster remains one of the region’s most devastating shipwrecks.
1898
SS Mohegan
Lizard peninsula
Cornwall
1913day.year
Senghenydd colliery disaster, the United Kingdom's worst coal mining accident, claims the lives of 439 miners.
The worst coal mining disaster in UK history strikes Senghenydd colliery in Wales, claiming 439 lives.
On 14 October 1913, a devastating explosion ripped through the Universal Colliery at Senghenydd, Wales.
The blast, believed to be caused by firedamp ignition, trapped hundreds of miners underground.
Rescue teams battled treacherous conditions, but 439 men lost their lives, making it the deadliest coal mining accident in British history.
The disaster prompted widespread public outcry and led to major reforms in mine safety regulations.
A permanent memorial now stands near the site to honor those who perished.
1913
Senghenydd colliery disaster
1940day.year
World War II: The Balham underground station disaster kills sixty-six people during the London Blitz.
A high-explosive bomb strikes Balham station during the Blitz, causing a tragic death toll of 66 Londoners.
On the evening of 14 October 1940, Londoners sheltering in the Balham underground station were struck by a falling bomb during a German air raid.
The explosion wrecked the road above and flooded the platform with gas and water, trapping passengers.
Emergency services faced the daunting task of rescuing survivors amid collapsing structures.
Sixty-six people lost their lives in what became one of the deadliest civilian incidents of the Blitz.
The disaster underscored the perils faced by Londoners in their makeshift refuges and spurred improvements in tunnel safety.
1940
Balham underground station disaster
1957day.year
At least 81 people are killed in the most devastating flood in the history of the Spanish city of Valencia.
A catastrophic flood strikes Valencia, Spain, killing at least 81 people and causing widespread destruction.
On October 14, 1957, torrential rains triggered a devastating flood in Valencia, Spain's third-largest city.
The raging Turia River breached its banks, inundating neighborhoods and sweeping away homes.
At least 81 residents lost their lives in one of the worst natural disasters in the region's history.
Critical infrastructure, including bridges and roads, was destroyed, isolating communities.
Emergency services and volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and deliver aid.
The flood prompted major engineering projects, leading to the diversion of the Turia River and improved flood defenses.
flood
Valencia
1968day.year
The 6.5 Mw Meckering earthquake shakes the southwest portion of Western Australia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), causing $2.2 million in damage and leaving 20–28 people injured.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes Meckering, Western Australia, causing extensive damage and dozens of injuries.
At 7:15 am on October 14, 1968, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake jolted the town of Meckering and surrounding areas. The violent shaking reached a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX, leveling buildings and rupturing roads. The quake created a surface fault scarp visible for kilometers and deep ground fissures. Emergency services responded quickly, treating an estimated 20 to 28 injured residents. Damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure amounted to roughly $2.2 million. There were no recorded fatalities, but the disaster prompted a review of construction standards in seismic zones. Scientists studied the event to improve understanding of intraplate earthquakes. The Meckering quake remains one of Australia's most significant earthquakes in the 20th century.
Meckering earthquake
Western Australia
Mercalli intensity
1975day.year
An RAF Avro Vulcan bomber explodes and crashes over Żabbar, Malta after an aborted landing, killing five crew members and one person on the ground.
An RAF Avro Vulcan bomber explodes and crashes during an aborted landing in Żabbar, Malta, killing six people.
On October 14, 1975, a Royal Air Force Avro Vulcan bomber experienced difficulties during its approach to Luqa Airport in Malta. After an aborted landing maneuver, the aircraft burst into flames and disintegrated mid-air before crashing into the suburb of Żabbar. Five crew members aboard the bomber were killed, along with one civilian on the ground. The blast and falling debris caused fires and structural damage in the surrounding area. Investigators pointed to a potential fuel system failure as the catalyst for the explosion. The tragedy highlighted the risks of operating high-performance military jets in populated regions. Local memorials were later established to honor the victims and raise awareness of aviation safety.
1975
RAF
Avro Vulcan
explodes and crashes
Żabbar
Malta
2004day.year
MK Airlines Flight 1602 crashes during takeoff from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, killing all seven people on board.
MK Airlines Flight 1602 crashes shortly after takeoff from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, killing all seven crew members.
On October 14, 2004, MK Airlines Flight 1602, a Boeing 747 freighter, failed to achieve sufficient climb rate and crashed into marshland near Halifax Stanfield International Airport. All seven crew members on board were tragically killed in the accident. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada launched an investigation to examine factors such as weight distribution, mechanical performance, and operational procedures. Initial findings suggested that improper loading and miscalculations may have contributed to the aircraft's inability to gain altitude. The crash prompted recommendations to improve cargo flight standards, crew resource management, and oversight of international freight operations. The incident underscored the complex challenges of heavy cargo transports and reinforced the necessity for stringent pre-flight protocols in the aviation industry.
2004
MK Airlines Flight 1602
Halifax Stanfield International Airport
2004day.year
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 crashes in Jefferson City, Missouri. The two pilots (the aircraft's only occupants) are killed.
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 crashes during a ferry flight in Missouri, resulting in the deaths of both pilots.
A Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Pinnacle Airlines crashed on October 14, 2004, near Jefferson City, Missouri, during a non-revenue ferry flight from Little Rock to Minneapolis. Both pilots were killed when the aircraft suffered dual engine flameouts following an unauthorized high-altitude climb. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation revealed that the crew exceeded the aircraft's performance envelope, leading to aerodynamic stall and engine failure. The report cited lapses in crew coordination, decision-making, and adherence to company procedures. The tragedy led to revised operational protocols for regional airlines, emphasizing strict compliance with performance limits and improved dispatcher training. The accident remains a case study in the critical importance of human factors and procedural discipline in aviation safety.
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701
Jefferson City, Missouri
2014day.year
A snowstorm and avalanche in the Nepalese Himalayas triggered by the remnants of Cyclone Hudhud kills 43 people.
A snowstorm and avalanche triggered by Cyclone Hudhud remnants devastate remote Himalayan villages, killing 43.
Heavy snowfall and avalanches struck the Khumbu region of Nepal on October 14, 2014, fueled by moisture from the remnants of Cyclone Hudhud. The extreme weather caught local communities and trekkers off guard, causing widespread destruction across high-altitude settlements. A total of 43 people lost their lives, including villagers and foreign mountaineers, while many others were injured or stranded. Rescue efforts by the Nepalese Army and mountain rescue teams faced severe challenges due to ongoing storms and inaccessible terrain. Helicopter evacuations eventually airlifted survivors to medical facilities, but delays highlighted gaps in early warning and emergency infrastructure. The disaster prompted calls for improved coordination between weather services, trekking agencies, and local authorities. It underscored the vulnerability of Himalayan populations to sudden climatic events and the urgent need for resilient mountain safety networks.
2014
snowstorm
Cyclone Hudhud