1928day.year
SS Vestris sinks approximately 200 miles (320 km) off Hampton Roads, Virginia, killing at least 110 passengers, mostly women and children who die after the vessel is abandoned.
The SS Vestris sank off the coast of Virginia in 1928, resulting in the deaths of over 110 passengers, mostly women and children.
On a November night in 1928, the British passenger steamship SS Vestris developed a severe list during heavy seas approximately 200 miles off Hampton Roads, Virginia. As water flooded the lower decks, the crew and passengers attempted an evacuation in lifeboats amid treacherous conditions. Laws requiring radio operators and adequate lifeboats had not yet been enforced, contributing to chaos during abandonment. Over 110 people, mainly women and children, lost their lives when boats capsized or drifted away. The tragedy exposed serious lapses in maritime safety and sparked public outcry. In response, the United States and Britain moved to strengthen regulations, including lifeboat provisions and wireless watch requirements. The disaster is remembered as a sobering reminder of the perils of sea travel in the early 20th century. Memorials honor those who perished, and the Vestris sinking influenced future maritime laws.
1928
SS Vestris
Hampton Roads, Virginia
1970day.year
The Oregon Highway Division attempts to destroy a rotting beached sperm whale with explosives, leading to the now infamous "exploding whale" incident.
In 1970, Oregon officials attempt to dispose of a decaying whale by detonating it, resulting in the infamous "exploding whale" incident.
On this morning in 1970, the Oregon Highway Division sets tons of dynamite on a beached sperm whale.
The plan to remove the carcass ends in disaster as large whale fragments scatter over 200 meters.
Spectators are both horrified and amused by the spectacle.
The bizarre failure becomes a lasting pop culture legend and cautionary tale.
It highlights the challenges of waste disposal and human intervention in nature.
1970
Oregon Highway Division
sperm whale
"exploding whale"
1970day.year
The 1970 Bhola cyclone makes landfall on the coast of East Pakistan, becoming the deadliest tropical cyclone in history.
The 1970 Bhola cyclone strikes East Pakistan, becoming the deadliest tropical cyclone in recorded history.
A powerful low-pressure system makes landfall on the Ganges Delta on this day in 1970.
Storm surges overwhelm coastal embankments and flood vast areas of East Pakistan.
Between 300,000 and 500,000 people lose their lives in one of history's worst natural disasters.
The catastrophe exposes government unpreparedness and spurs humanitarian responses.
International aid efforts seek to rebuild communities and improve early warning systems.
1970 Bhola cyclone
East Pakistan
1971day.year
Aeroflot Flight N-63 crashes on approach to Vinnytsia Airport, killing 48.
Aeroflot Flight N-63 crashes on approach to Vinnytsia Airport in 1971, killing all 48 passengers and crew.
On this day in 1971, Aeroflot Flight N-63 suffers a fatal accident while landing at Vinnytsia Airport.
Poor weather and potential mechanical issues contribute to the crash.
All 48 people aboard lose their lives in the tragedy.
The incident prompts investigations into Soviet aviation safety standards.
It underscores the ongoing challenges of air travel in the early jet age.
Aeroflot Flight N-63
Vinnytsia Airport
1996day.year
A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakh Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane collide in mid-air near New Delhi, killing 349 in the deadliest mid-air collision to date.
On November 12, 1996, a mid-air collision near New Delhi between a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakh Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane killed 349 people, marking the deadliest such accident to date.
The collision occurred at 14,000 feet near New Delhi when the two aircraft converged on the same airway under congested air traffic conditions.
All 312 people aboard the Boeing 747 and the 37 on the Il-76 lost their lives, making it the deadliest mid-air collision to date.
Investigations cited air traffic control miscommunication as a primary factor in the disaster.
The tragedy prompted India and international aviation authorities to enhance radar coverage and improve air traffic management procedures.
Lessons learned from this accident led to significant safety upgrades in global aviation systems.
1996
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Boeing 747
Ilyushin Il-76
collide in mid-air
1999day.year
The 7.2 Mw Düzce earthquake shakes northwestern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). At least 845 people are killed and almost 5,000 are injured.
On November 12, 1999, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Düzce, Turkey, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 845 people.
The 7.2 magnitude Düzce earthquake occurred along the North Anatolian Fault on November 12, 1999, following a devastating quake earlier that month in İzmit.
Shaking reached a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), toppling buildings and infrastructure across the region.
Rescue teams and volunteers raced to search for survivors amid widespread destruction.
Turkish authorities and international aid organizations mounted relief efforts to provide shelter, medical care, and supplies to thousands of displaced residents.
The disaster highlighted the seismic vulnerability of northwestern Turkey and led to improved building codes and preparedness measures.
1999
Düzce earthquake
Turkey
Mercalli intensity
2001day.year
In New York City, American Airlines Flight 587, an Airbus A300 en route to the Dominican Republic, crashes minutes after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 260 on board and five on the ground.
On November 12, 2001, American Airlines Flight 587 crashed shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport in New York City, killing all 260 on board and five on the ground.
Flight 587, an Airbus A300 bound for Santo Domingo, encountered wake turbulence from a preceding Japan Airlines Boeing 747 shortly after departure on November 12, 2001.
In response, the crew applied excessive rudder inputs, causing the vertical stabilizer to detach and the aircraft to lose control.
The plane plunged into the Belle Harbor neighborhood of Queens, resulting in 265 fatalities.
The NTSB investigation led to revised pilot training on wake turbulence and aircraft control.
The disaster remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in U.S. history and influenced safety protocols worldwide.
2001
American Airlines Flight 587
Airbus A300
Dominican Republic
John F. Kennedy International Airport
2011day.year
A blast in Iran's Shahid Modarres missile base leads to the death of 17 of the Revolutionary Guards members, including Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, a key figure in Iran's missile program.
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Shahid Modarres missile base killed 17 Revolutionary Guards, including key missile program figure Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam.
On November 12, 2011, an explosion rocked the Shahid Modarres missile facility near Tehran. The blast killed Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, the architect of several Iranian missile designs. Official reports offered limited details, leading to speculation about an accident during testing or possible sabotage. The loss disrupted the Revolutionary Guards’ missile development schedule. Iranian authorities blamed negligence, while analysts considered external interference unlikely. The event highlighted safety challenges in high-stakes weapons programs. It also spurred tighter security and operational reviews at military sites.
blast
Revolutionary Guards
Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam
2017day.year
The 7.3 Mw Kermanshah earthquake shakes the northern Iran–Iraq border with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). At least 410 people are killed and over 7,000 are injured.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the Iran–Iraq border, killing over 400 people and injuring thousands.
The quake on November 12, 2017, had its epicenter near Ezgeleh in Iran’s Kermanshah province. With a Mercalli intensity of VIII, it flattened villages and damaged thousands of homes. Rescue teams from both Iran and Iraq rushed to assist survivors amid freezing conditions. Aftershocks hampered relief operations and spread fear among residents. Temporary shelters were set up in schools and community centers. The disaster exposed vulnerabilities in building standards and emergency response. International organizations offered aid and technical support for reconstruction.
2017
Kermanshah earthquake
Iran
Iraq
Mercalli intensity
2022day.year
A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collide in mid-air over Dallas Executive Airport during an airshow, killing six.
During a 2022 airshow at Dallas Executive Airport, a vintage Boeing B-17 and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collided mid-air, killing six and halting the event.
In November 2022, during an airshow at Dallas Executive Airport, a vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collided while performing display maneuvers. The mid-air collision occurred at low altitude, causing both WWII-era aircraft to crash within the airport grounds. All six people aboard the two aircraft were killed in the tragic accident. The airshow was immediately suspended as emergency crews responded to the scene. The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation into the circumstances, examining factors such as flight coordination and aircraft maintenance. The incident raised questions about the safety protocols for historic warbird performances and prompted discussions about stricter oversight for airshow events.
2022
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Bell P-63 Kingcobra
collide in mid-air
Dallas Executive Airport