1966day.year
The Arno River floods Florence, Italy, to a maximum depth of 6.7 m (22 ft), leaving thousands homeless and destroying millions of masterpieces of art and rare books. Venice is also submerged on the same day at its record all-time acqua alta of 194 cm (76 in).
A devastating flood struck Florence and Venice in 1966, submerging streets under record waters and damaging priceless art and architecture.
On November 4, 1966, the Arno River overflowed its banks, flooding Florence under up to 6.7 meters of water. The inundation left thousands homeless and caused catastrophic damage to historic buildings, art, and rare books. Priceless masterpieces and ancient manuscripts were soaked or lost, triggering an unprecedented restoration effort. 'Mud angels,' volunteers from around the world, worked tirelessly to salvage and repair damaged cultural treasures. The same high tide submerged Venice at a record 194 cm, exposing the vulnerability of Italy's artistic heritage to natural disasters.
1966
Arno River
floods
Florence
Venice is also submerged
acqua alta
1967day.year
Iberia Flight 062 crashes in Blackdown, West Sussex, killing all 37 people on board including British actress June Thorburn.
Iberia Flight 062 crashed into the Blackdown Hills in 1967, killing all 37 on board, including actress June Thorburn.
On November 4, 1967, Iberia Flight 062 crashed into the Blackdown Hills in West Sussex during its approach to London. All 37 passengers and crew, including British actress June Thorburn, lost their lives in the accident. Preliminary investigations pointed to navigational errors amid poor weather conditions. The tragedy prompted a review of instrument landing procedures and air traffic control coordination in the UK. Safety measures were enhanced to prevent similar disasters in the future.
1967
Iberia Flight 062
Blackdown, West Sussex
June Thorburn
1993day.year
China Airlines Flight 605, a brand-new 747-400, overruns the runway at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport.
A brand-new China Airlines 747-400 overran the runway at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport in 1993, causing damage and injuries.
On November 4, 1993, China Airlines Flight 605, a new Boeing 747-400, overran the runway at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport during landing. Heavy rain and a challenging approach contributed to the aircraft sliding into Victoria Harbour. Although there were no fatalities, dozens of passengers suffered injuries during the evacuation. The fractured airframe highlighted safety issues at Kai Tak, leading to stricter landing protocols. Authorities and airlines introduced new wet-runway procedures to enhance passenger and crew safety.
1993
China Airlines Flight 605
747-400
Hong Kong
Kai Tak Airport
2010day.year
Aero Caribbean Flight 883 crashes into Guasimal, Sancti Spíritus; all 68 passengers and crew are killed.
On November 4, 2010, Aero Caribbean Flight 883 tragically crashed into rural terrain in Sancti Spíritus, killing all 68 aboard.
Aero Caribbean Flight 883, a scheduled domestic flight within Cuba, took off from Havana bound for Holguín. Shortly before its planned landing, the ATR 72 aircraft descended rapidly and crashed into a swamp near Guasimal in the province of Sancti Spíritus. Rescue teams arrived to find no survivors among the 68 passengers and crew. The crash prompted an immediate investigation into potential mechanical failure and adverse weather conditions. Authorities examined flight data recorders to determine the cause and sought to improve safety protocols for regional carriers. The tragedy marked one of Cuba’s deadliest aviation accidents in decades. Victims included both Cuban nationals and international tourists, leading to condolences from foreign governments. In the aftermath, Aero Caribbean suspended operations for safety reviews. The crash underscored the importance of stringent maintenance and weather monitoring in aviation.
2010
Aero Caribbean Flight 883
Guasimal
2010day.year
Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380, suffers an uncontained engine failure over Indonesia shortly after taking off from Singapore, crippling the jet. The crew manage to safely return to Singapore, saving all 469 passengers and crew.
In 2010, Qantas Flight 32 suffered a catastrophic uncontained engine failure shortly after takeoff from Singapore but returned safely without loss of life.
Qantas Flight 32 was an Airbus A380 service operating between London and Sydney with a stopover in Singapore. Moments after departure from Changi Airport, the number two engine suffered an uncontained failure that sent debris across the wing. The flight crew declared an emergency and coordinated with air traffic control to make an immediate return. Pilots executed complex emergency procedures under extreme stress, managing multiple system failures. The A380 landed safely back in Singapore, saving all 469 passengers and crew aboard. The incident triggered a worldwide inspection of Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines on A380 fleets. Qantas and Rolls-Royce conducted exhaustive investigations to address design vulnerabilities. The successful handling of the emergency was hailed as a triumph of training and teamwork. This event became a case study in aviation safety and crew resource management.
Qantas Flight 32
Airbus A380
Singapore
2015day.year
A cargo plane crashes shortly after takeoff from Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan, killing at least 37 people.
A cargo plane crashed shortly after departing Juba International Airport in 2015, killing at least 37 people on board.
On November 4, 2015, a cargo aircraft operated by Allied Services Limited took off from Juba International Airport with both cargo and passengers aboard. Witnesses reported that the plane struggled to gain altitude before losing control and plummeting to the ground. The wreckage caught fire, and emergency teams faced challenges reaching the remote crash site. Officials confirmed at least 37 fatalities among crew and stowaways, with dozens more injured. The aviation authorities launched an investigation into overloading, maintenance standards, and pilot training. South Sudan, plagued by civil conflict, had limited infrastructure to respond swiftly to such disasters. International aid organizations offered assistance to search and rescue operations. The crash highlighted the risks of operating in unstable regions with poor regulatory oversight. It also spurred calls for improved safety measures and regulations in South Sudan’s aviation sector.
2015
crashes
Juba International Airport
Juba
2015day.year
A building collapses in the Pakistani city of Lahore resulting in at least 45 deaths and at least 100 injuries.
A building collapse in Lahore in 2015 resulted in at least 45 deaths and over 100 injuries, marking a major structural failure.
A four-story commercial building in Lahore’s bustling city center suddenly gave way on November 4, 2015, sending concrete and steel crashing onto the street below. Shoppers and office workers were trapped under the rubble as rescue teams rushed to free survivors. Emergency responders and volunteers worked tirelessly through shattered floors to pull injured victims to safety. The death toll rose to at least 45, with over 100 people suffering injuries ranging from minor cuts to critical trauma. Authorities blamed illegal construction practices and substandard materials for the disaster. The incident prompted a citywide audit of older buildings and stricter enforcement of safety regulations. Families of the victims demanded accountability and compensation from the property owners. The collapse sparked a national conversation on urban planning and the dangers of unchecked development. This tragedy underscored the human cost of negligence in construction and the need for robust oversight.
collapses
Lahore