November 23

A severe tropical cyclone made landfall on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, unleashing high winds and torrential rains. Entire villages were inundated, with many homes washed away or reduced to rubble. The death toll reached around 1,000, while thousands more were injured or rendered homeless. Relief efforts were hampered by flooded roads and damaged infrastructure, delaying vital assistance. The disaster underscored the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and prompted a reassessment of emergency preparedness. International aid organizations joined local authorities in rescue and recovery operations. In the following years, Sri Lanka invested in improved cyclone warning systems and construction standards to mitigate future tragedies.

On November 23, 1980, the Irpinia earthquake devastated southern Italy, registering a 6.9 magnitude and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). The quake's epicenter was near the town of Eboli, triggering widespread collapse of homes, schools, and infrastructure across Basilicata and Campania. Rescue crews and volunteers raced to dig survivors from the rubble amid aftershocks and freezing temperatures. Thousands were left homeless as entire villages lay in ruins, and emergency shelters were hastily erected. Italy mobilized military and civil defense units, while international aid poured in to support relief efforts. The disaster spurred changes in building codes and emergency response protocols to mitigate future seismic risks.

A group of armed militants seized EgyptAir Flight 648 shortly after takeoff, demanding the release of prisoners and safe passage. The hijacked Boeing 737 was forced to divert to Malta's Luqa Airport, where tense negotiations ensued. Egyptian commandos launched a nighttime raid to storm the aircraft, but a miscalculation caused gunfire and explosions inside the cabin. In the chaos, 60 passengers and crew members were killed, while protesters and bystanders at the airport sustained injuries. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in international aviation security and prompted reforms in hijacking response protocols. It remains one of the deadliest hijackings in aviation history, leading to tighter cockpit security and passenger screening measures.

Three Ethiopian nationals hijacked the Boeing 767 shortly after departure, claiming they sought asylum in Australia. The pilot was forced to divert across the African coast, but the plane ran out of fuel before reaching land. Crew attempted a water landing off Grande Comore, but the aircraft broke apart upon impact. Of the 175 people aboard, 125 lost their lives and 50 survivors clung to wreckage until rescue. The tragedy highlighted security lapses in civil aviation and spurred improvements in cockpit safety. It remains one of the deadliest maritime airline incidents, underscoring the dangers of both hijacking and emergency ditching.

MS Explorer, known as the 'Little Red Ship,' was designed for polar voyages and had successfully navigated Antarctic waters for decades. On November 23, 2007, the vessel collided with an iceberg, causing critical hull damage. Within hours, the ship took on water and began to sink in cold Antarctic seas. All 154 passengers and crew were rescued by nearby vessels without any fatalities. The incident raised concerns over the safety of tourist cruises in polar regions. MS Explorer became the first modern cruise ship to sink in Antarctic waters.