1907day.year
The 1907 Qaratog earthquake hits the borders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, killing between 12,000 and 15,000 people.
A powerful earthquake strikes the Qaratog region on the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border, causing over 12,000 fatalities.
On October 21, 1907, a massive seismic event with an estimated magnitude of 7.4 devastates villages in the Qaratog area. The quake levels adobe homes and triggers landslides in the mountainous terrain. Rescue and relief efforts are hampered by harsh weather and remote locations. Official reports estimate between 12,000 and 15,000 fatalities, making it one of Central Asia's deadliest earthquakes. The disaster highlights the vulnerability of traditional construction methods and prompts discussions on building safety reforms.
1907
1907 Qaratog earthquake
1966day.year
A colliery spoil tip slips onto houses and a school in the village of Aberfan in Wales, killing 144 people, 116 of whom were schoolchildren.
A coal spoil tip collapse in Aberfan, Wales, buried a school and village, killing 144 people.
On the morning of October 21, 1966, a colliery spoil tip above Aberfan slipped, sending a torrent of mining waste into the village below.
The landslide engulfed Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses, tragically killing 116 children among 144 victims.
Rescue efforts were hampered by unstable ground and relentless mud, stretching over days.
The disaster prompted national mourning and raised urgent questions about mining safety regulations.
An inquiry later found the National Coal Board negligent, leading to calls for stricter oversight.
Aberfan remains a somber symbol of the human cost of industrial negligence.
1966
slips onto houses and a school in the village of Aberfan
1971day.year
A gas explosion kills 22 people at a shopping centre near Glasgow, Scotland.
A gas explosion at a shopping centre near Glasgow killed 22 people and injured many.
On October 21, 1971, a sudden gas leak sparked a deadly explosion at the Brucefield Shopping Centre near Glasgow, Scotland.
The blast destroyed parts of the building and caused extensive damage to surrounding shops.
Twenty-two people lost their lives, with dozens more suffering severe burns and injuries.
Emergency crews faced challenges navigating the unstable ruins to rescue survivors.
An investigation attributed the disaster to faulty pipeline maintenance and lax safety checks.
The tragedy led to stricter regulations on gas installations across the UK.
1971
gas explosion
1978day.year
Australian civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanishes over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.
Australian pilot Frederick Valentich disappeared over Bass Strait after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft.
On October 21, 1978, civilian pilot Frederick Valentich took off from Moorabbin Airport on a routine flight over Bass Strait, south of Melbourne.
During the flight, he reported being accompanied by an unknown aircraft that performed unusual maneuvers.
Contact was lost abruptly, and no trace of Valentich or his Cessna 182 was ever found.
The incident fueled speculation about UFO encounters and has become one of Australia's enduring aviation mysteries.
Official investigations could not conclusively explain the disappearance.
Valentich's vanishing continues to intrigue researchers and UFO enthusiasts alike.
1978
Frederick Valentich vanishes
Bass Strait
Melbourne
1989day.year
In Honduras, 131 people are killed when a Boeing 727 crashes on approach to Toncontín International Airport near the nation's capital Tegucigalpa.
A Boeing 727 crashes on approach to Toncontín International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, killing 131 people.
On October 21, 1989, a Boeing 727 operating in Honduras crashed into a mountainside short of Toncontín International Airport's runway. The airport's challenging terrain and variable weather contributed to the aircraft's descent below safe altitude. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 131 passengers and crew aboard, marking one of Honduras' deadliest air disasters. Rescue and recovery efforts were complicated by the remote, rugged location of the crash site. Investigations pointed to navigational difficulties and insufficient approach procedures as key factors. In response, aviation authorities implemented new safety measures and improved navigational aids at the airport.
1989
Honduras
Boeing 727
crashes
Toncontín International Airport
Tegucigalpa
1994day.year
In Seoul, South Korea, 32 people are killed when a span of the Seongsu Bridge collapses.
A section of Seoul's Seongsu Bridge collapses during rush hour, killing 32 people and highlighting infrastructure safety issues.
On October 21, 1994, a span of the Seongsu Bridge over the Han River in Seoul suddenly gave way during the evening commute. The collapse caused vehicles and pedestrians to plunge into the river below, resulting in 32 fatalities and multiple injuries. Investigations revealed that welding defects, corrosion, and inadequate maintenance were major contributors to the disaster. Public anger grew over the perceived negligence of construction companies and municipal inspectors. The tragedy prompted the South Korean government to overhaul bridge inspection protocols and enforce stricter safety standards. Seongsu Bridge was rebuilt using modern engineering practices and reopened in 1997, serving as a reminder of the importance of infrastructure integrity.
Seongsu Bridge collapses
2019day.year
Thirty people are killed in a fiery bus crash in western Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thirty people died when a bus crashed and burst into flames in western Democratic Republic of the Congo, making it one of the deadliest road accidents in the region.
On October 21, 2019, a passenger bus overturned and caught fire along a rural highway in western Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The fiery wreck claimed the lives of thirty individuals and left many others injured.
Limited emergency services and challenging road conditions contributed to the high fatality rate.
Local authorities launched an investigation into the mechanical state of the vehicle and driver conduct.
The incident underscored recurring safety issues on DRC’s road networks, including overcrowding and poor maintenance.
Communities called for stricter enforcement of transportation regulations and improved infrastructure to prevent future tragedies.
2019
Democratic Republic of the Congo
2021day.year
A shooting occurs on the set of the film Rust, in which actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop weapon which had been loaded, killing the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and injuring director Joel Souza.
On the set of Rust, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
On October 21, 2021, a tragic shooting occurred during filming of the Western movie Rust in New Mexico.
A prop gun held by Alec Baldwin was loaded with live ammunition, resulting in the death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins.
Director Joel Souza was also wounded by the stray bullet and required hospitalization.
The incident sparked widespread debate over on-set safety protocols and the handling of firearms in film productions.
Investigations examined the roles of the armorer, assistant director, and prop masters in the fatal accident.
Industry professionals and regulators called for stricter measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
2021
shooting
Rust
Alec Baldwin
Halyna Hutchins
Joel Souza