October 28

On October 28, 1707, the Hōei earthquake—one of the most intense in Japanese history—rattled the regions of present-day Osaka, Kyoto, and Edo (Tokyo). Estimated at magnitude 8.6, the tremor caused massive landslides, structural collapses, and tsunamis along the coast. Over 5,000 lives were lost, and thousands more were injured or displaced. The disaster underscored the seismic vulnerability of Japan’s densely populated plains and prompted advances in building techniques and disaster preparedness in subsequent decades.

At dawn on October 28, 1891, the Mino–Owari earthquake, estimated at magnitude 8.0, jolted the Gifu and Aichi regions.\nSevere shaking caused widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and historic temples across hundreds of kilometers.\nFissures opened in the ground, landslides swept through villages, and over 7,000 lives were lost in the disaster.\nThe catastrophe spurred advancements in seismic research and led to the first modern seismic intensity scale in Japan.

In late October 1948, a temperature inversion trapped toxic emissions from steel and zinc plants over Donora, Pennsylvania. By October 28, the smog had become lethal, sending thousands to hospitals and causing at least 20 fatalities. Residents experienced coughing, eye irritation, and respiratory distress as dense pollution choked the town. The Donora tragedy prompted the first studies on smog and air quality, laying groundwork for the U.S. Clean Air Act. Today, Donora is remembered as a cautionary tale in environmental health and industrial regulation.

On October 28, 1949, Air France Flight 136 crashed near Santa Maria in the Azores archipelago. The Lockheed Constellation encountered technical issues during approach, losing altitude in poor visibility. All 48 individuals on board perished, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents of its time. The tragedy spurred investigations into aircraft reliability and navigational safety over the Atlantic. Subsequent improvements in air traffic control and maintenance procedures were influenced by the disaster.

On October 28, 1954, Aeroflot Flight 136 fell from the sky near Krasnoyarsk amid challenging weather. The aircraft descended unpredictably, crashing in rural terrain and killing all 19 passengers and crew. Soviet investigators examined pilot procedures and meteorological forecasting after the tragedy. The accident led to improved training for crews operating in Siberian weather conditions. It underscored the pressing need for aviation safety enhancements in remote regions.

Flight 1712, operated by Aloha Island Air using a DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, departed Hilo bound for Honolulu but encountered navigational challenges in darkness and mountainous terrain. The aircraft descended off-course and struck a rugged slope, killing all passengers and crew. Investigations highlighted the difficulties of night flying in Hawaii's varied topography and led to improved flight procedures and safety measures for commuter airlines. The accident remains one of the deadliest involving the Twin Otter model. It underscored the need for enhanced terrain awareness and stricter operational guidelines in regional aviation.

A blaze broke out in one of the trains traveling through a tunnel between stations on the Baku Metro, quickly engulfing cars in thick smoke and flames. Panic and limited emergency exits contributed to the high casualty toll, making it one of the deadliest subway disasters in history. Rescue operations faced challenges due to low visibility and intense heat, and victims suffered from smoke inhalation and burns. The incident prompted comprehensive safety overhauls, including better fire detection, evacuation procedures, and train design modifications. It remains a somber reminder of the importance of rigorous safety standards in public transit systems.

On October 28, 2013, a car crashed into barriers at the iconic Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, resulting in five fatalities and 38 injuries. The unexpected incident sparked panic among tourists and locals gathered at the historic site. Chinese authorities launched an immediate investigation into the cause and motive behind the crash. The event raised global concerns about the security of crowded public spaces. In response, security measures were reinforced at major cultural and political landmarks across the country.