1886day.year
Normanton incident: As the British merchant vessel Normanton sinks off the coast of Japan, her European officers appear to commandeer the ship’s lifeboats for themselves, leaving her Asian crew and passengers to die and conjuring significant political outrage in Japan.
The sinking of the Normanton sparks outrage in Japan after European officers abandon Asian crew and passengers to drown.
When the Normanton strikes rocks near Yokohama, its European officers allegedly seize lifeboats, leaving Japanese crew and passengers behind. The tragedy ignites public anger and demands for equal treatment under international maritime law. Japanese newspapers decry the injustice, fueling calls to revise extraterritoriality agreements. The incident highlights the unequal legal status of foreigners in Meiji Japan. It becomes a catalyst for Japan’s push to renegotiate unfair treaties with Western powers.
1886
Normanton incident
Japan
1902day.year
Guatemala's Santa María volcano begins to erupt, becoming the third-largest eruption of the 20th century.
Guatemala’s Santa María volcano erupts violently, marking one of the largest volcanic events of the 20th century.
On October 24, 1902, the Santa María volcano in Guatemala began a massive eruption that would rank as the third-largest of the 20th century. The explosive event sent ash clouds soaring over 20 kilometers into the atmosphere and unleashed deadly pyroclastic flows on surrounding villages. Hundreds of lives were lost, and extensive farmland was buried under volcanic debris. The eruption severely impacted local climates and disrupted global weather patterns. Rescue and relief efforts struggled against ongoing volcanic activity and choking ash fall. Santa María’s dramatic eruption remains a stark reminder of nature’s destructive power.
1902
Santa María volcano begins to erupt
1947day.year
United Air Lines Flight 608 crashes in the Bryce Canyon National Park in Garfield County, Utah, while attempting an emergency landing at Bryce Canyon Airport, killing 52 people.
United Air Lines Flight 608 crashed during an emergency landing attempt at Bryce Canyon Airport in 1947, killing 52.
Flight 608 departed Chicago for Los Angeles when a fire broke out in its cabin on October 24, 1947.
The crew attempted an emergency landing at the small Bryce Canyon Airport in Utah.
While maneuvering toward the runway, the Lockheed Constellation lost control and crashed into a plateau.
All 52 passengers and crew aboard were killed, making it one of the deadliest US airline accidents at the time.
Investigations pointed to a design flaw in an oil relief valve as the probable cause of the fire.
United Air Lines Flight 608
Bryce Canyon National Park
Garfield County, Utah
emergency landing
Bryce Canyon Airport
1960day.year
Nedelin catastrophe: An R-16 ballistic missile explodes on the launch pad at the Soviet Union's Baikonur Cosmodrome space facility, killing over 100 people, including Field Marshal Mitrofan Nedelin.
A catastrophic R-16 missile explosion at Baikonur kills over 100 people, including Field Marshal Nedelin.
On October 24, 1960, a fueled R-16 ballistic missile exploded on the launch pad at the Soviet Union’s Baikonur Cosmodrome. The accident, known as the Nedelin catastrophe, occurred during rushed preparations for a test flight. Over a hundred military personnel and engineers were killed instantly, including Chief Marshal of Artillery Mitrofan Nedelin. The Soviet authorities covered up the incident for many years, attributing the destruction to a technical failure rather than a launch accident. The tragedy prompted stricter safety protocols in the Soviet missile program.
1960
Nedelin catastrophe
R-16
ballistic missile
Soviet Union
Baikonur Cosmodrome
Mitrofan Nedelin
1963day.year
An oxygen leak from an R-9 Desna missile at the Baikonur Cosmodrome triggers a fire that kills seven people.
An oxygen leak in a Soviet R-9 Desna missile triggers a fire at Baikonur, killing seven workers.
On October 24, 1963, technicians at the Baikonur Cosmodrome discovered an oxygen leak in a fueled R-9 Desna missile. The leak ignited a fire that quickly engulfed the launch pad area. Seven personnel lost their lives in the blaze before emergency crews could respond. The incident highlighted the dangers of handling liquid oxygen and the need for improved safety measures. Subsequent investigations led to revised protocols for missile fueling operations.
1963
R-9 Desna
2005day.year
Hurricane Wilma makes landfall in Florida, resulting in 35 direct and 26 indirect fatalities and causing $20.6B USD in damage.
Hurricane Wilma made landfall in Florida as one of the most powerful storms of the 2005 season, causing extensive damage and fatalities.
On October 24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma struck southwestern Florida near Cape Romano as a Category 3 storm.
It originated in the Caribbean, rapidly intensifying to a record-low central pressure of 882 mb.
The hurricane caused 35 direct and 26 indirect deaths across affected regions.
High winds and storm surge inflicted severe damage on homes, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Insured losses were estimated at $20.6 billion, making Wilma one of the costliest hurricanes at the time.
Recovery efforts involved federal, state, and local agencies working to restore power and rebuild communities.
Wilma’s intensity and rapid development underscored the challenges of forecasting such extreme events.
2005
Hurricane Wilma
2015day.year
A driver crashes into the Oklahoma State Homecoming parade, killing four people and injuring 34.
A vehicle plowed into the Oklahoma State Homecoming parade, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries in 2015.
On October 24, 2015, a driver lost control and drove into the Oklahoma State University Homecoming parade in Stillwater.
The incident killed four spectators and injured 34 others, including students and families.
Emergency responders quickly arrived to provide medical aid and secure the area.
The tragedy prompted review of parade safety protocols and increased security measures.
Community vigils and support services were organized to help those affected.
Law enforcement conducted investigations into the driver’s intent and circumstances.
The event highlighted the vulnerability of public gatherings to vehicle-related incidents.
2015
crashes
2016day.year
A French surveillance aircraft flying to Libya crashes on takeoff in Malta, killing all five people on board.
A French surveillance aircraft en route to Libya crashed on takeoff in Malta, killing all five crew members.
On October 24, 2016, a French Air Force surveillance plane collided with a refueling tanker during takeoff at Malta International Airport.
Both aircraft were operating in support of NATO missions over Libya.
The crash resulted in the deaths of all five French service members on board the surveillance aircraft.
Maltese authorities and international teams conducted an extensive accident investigation.
Weather conditions were initially assessed as clear, shifting focus to technical and procedural factors.
The incident prompted reviews of air traffic control collaboration and military flight operations.
It underscored the risks inherent in complex military aviation maneuvers and international cooperation.
2016
crashes