1972day.year
Spantax Flight 275 crashes during takeoff from Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport, killing all 155 people on board.
Spantax Flight 275 crashed on December 3, 1972, during takeoff from Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport, killing all 155 on board.
On December 3, 1972, a Spantax DC-10 operating Flight 275 encountered engine failure during takeoff from Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport.
The aircraft veered off the runway, struck an embankment, and burst into flames.
All 155 passengers and crew aboard perished in the ensuing fire and impact.
The accident prompted investigations into maintenance procedures and emergency response protocols.
Safety recommendations from the crash led to improvements in crew training and aircraft design reviews.
1972
Spantax Flight 275
Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna Airport
1979day.year
In Cincinnati, 11 fans are suffocated in a crush for seats on the concourse outside Riverfront Coliseum before a Who concert.
A crowd crush outside Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum on December 3, 1979, killed 11 concertgoers waiting for The Who.
On the evening of December 3, 1979, thousands of fans gathered on the concourse of Cincinnati's Riverfront Coliseum for seating at a sold-out The Who concert.
A sudden surge in the crowd caused a crush at the gate area, trapping and suffocating 11 people.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the dense throng, and more than two dozen were injured.
The tragedy highlighted the need for improved crowd control and venue safety regulations.
In response, concert promoters and city officials implemented stricter entry procedures and barrier systems.
1979
Cincinnati
a crush for seats
Riverfront Coliseum
Who
1982day.year
A soil sample is taken from Times Beach, Missouri, that will be found to contain 300 times the safe level of dioxin.
A soil test in Times Beach, Missouri revealed dioxin levels 300 times above the safe threshold, sparking one of America’s worst environmental crises.
In December 1982, environmental officials collected a soil sample from Times Beach, Missouri, that tested positive for dangerously high levels of dioxin—300 times the allowable limit. This discovery traced back to the spraying of chemical-laden waste oil on local roads to control dust in the 1970s. Dioxin, a highly toxic byproduct of industrial processes, poses severe risks to human health and the ecosystem. The findings prompted widespread concern and led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. Over subsequent months, federal and state agencies coordinated the cleanup and relocation efforts. Ultimately, the entire town was purchased by the government and demolished, making Times Beach one of the most significant environmental remediation projects in U.S. history.
1982
Times Beach, Missouri
dioxin
1984day.year
Bhopal disaster: A methyl isocyanate leak from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, kills more than 3,800 people outright and injures 150,000–600,000 others (some 6,000 of whom later died from their injuries) in one of the worst industrial disasters in history.
A catastrophic methyl isocyanate gas leak at Union Carbide’s Bhopal plant killed thousands and injured hundreds of thousands in India’s deadliest industrial disaster.
On the night of December 3, 1984, a storage tank at Union Carbide’s Bhopal pesticide plant released a highly toxic cloud of methyl isocyanate gas over the surrounding city in India. The rapid leak resulted from safety system failures and inadequate maintenance, exposing residents to lethal chemical concentrations. In the immediate aftermath, more than 3,800 people lost their lives and up to 600,000 suffered injuries ranging from respiratory distress to blindness. Many survivors faced long-term health complications, and local water sources became contaminated. The disaster sparked global outrage and raised critical questions about corporate responsibility and industrial safety standards. Legal battles and compensation claims continued for decades as victims sought justice and remediation. Bhopal remains a stark reminder of the human cost of industrial negligence.
1984
Bhopal disaster
methyl isocyanate
Union Carbide
Bhopal
1992day.year
The Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea, carrying 80,000 tonnes of crude oil, runs aground in a storm while approaching A Coruña, Spain, and spills much of its cargo.
The Greek tanker Aegean Sea ran aground during a storm off A Coruña, Spain, spilling most of its 80,000 tonnes of crude oil into the sea.
In December 1992, the Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea ran aground on Ventosa Beach near A Coruña during severe winter storms. Carrying 80,000 tonnes of heavy crude oil, the stranding led to a massive spill that coated over 200 kilometers of Spain’s Galician coastline. Local authorities and emergency crews mounted a large-scale response, deploying booms, skimmers, and cleanup teams to mitigate environmental damage. Despite efforts, the spill caused widespread harm to marine life, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems. The disaster prompted international cooperation and led to stricter maritime safety regulations for oil transport. Nearly a decade later, memories of the Aegean Sea spill continued to influence environmental policy and emergency preparedness in Europe.
1992
oil tanker
crude oil
A Coruña
spills much of its cargo
1995day.year
Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 crashes on approach to Douala International Airport in Douala, Cameroon, killing 71 of the 76 people on board.
Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 crashed on approach to Douala, Cameroon, killing 71 of the 76 people on board.
On December 3, 1995, Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701, a Boeing 737-200, crashed during its final approach to Douala International Airport in Cameroon. The aircraft encountered poor weather conditions and possible navigational challenges as it neared the runway. The crash claimed 71 lives, leaving only five survivors out of 76 people on board. In the aftermath, investigations examined factors such as pilot decision-making and air traffic control procedures. The tragedy highlighted the need for enhanced safety standards and training within Central African aviation. Cameroon Airlines implemented revised operational protocols to prevent future accidents, but the disaster remains one of the deadliest in the nation’s aviation history.
1995
Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701
Douala International Airport
Douala
Cameroon
1999day.year
In Worcester, Massachusetts, firefighters responded to a fire at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. facility, which takes the lives of 6 firefighters.
A devastating warehouse fire in Worcester, Massachusetts claims six firefighters during a winter blaze.
On December 3, 1999, a fierce fire broke out at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. facility in Worcester, Massachusetts.
As firefighters battled freezing temperatures and thick smoke, the building's unstable structure collapsed without warning.
Six firefighters were tragically trapped and lost their lives in the blaze, marking one of the deadliest firefighting incidents in U.S. history.
The tragedy spurred widespread changes in firefighting protocols, building safety codes, and emergency response training.
Investigators cited lack of reliable building blueprints and the warehouse's neglected maintenance as contributing factors.
Annual memorials now honor the fallen heroes and remind communities of the perils first responders face.
1999
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co.
2007day.year
Winter storms cause the Chehalis River to flood many cities in Lewis County, Washington, and close a 32-kilometre (20 mi) portion of Interstate 5 for several days. At least eight deaths and billions of dollars in damages are blamed on the floods.
Heavy winter storms trigger Chehalis River flooding in Lewis County, Washington, closing Interstate 5 and causing multiple fatalities.
In early December 2007, relentless winter storms swelled the Chehalis River, sending floodwaters through numerous towns in Lewis County, Washington.
The torrent forced the closure of a 32-kilometer segment of Interstate 5 for several days, disrupting commerce and travel.
Rescue operations were hampered by flooded roads and fallen power lines, leaving communities isolated during the crisis.
At least eight people lost their lives, and billions of dollars in damage were recorded across the region.
The disaster prompted improvements in levee systems, floodplain management, and early warning protocols.
Residents remember the 2007 floods as a sobering example of nature's power and the need for resilient infrastructure.
2007
Winter storms
Chehalis River
Lewis County, Washington
Interstate 5
2012day.year
At least 475 people are killed after Typhoon Bopha makes landfall in the Philippines.
Typhoon Bopha strikes the southern Philippines, causing catastrophic damage and at least 475 fatalities.
On December 3, 2012, Typhoon Bopha struck the southern Philippines with devastating force.
Known locally as Pablo, the storm brought record-breaking rainfall and catastrophic flooding to Mindanao.
Winds exceeding 260 km/h uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and left thousands homeless.
Official reports confirmed at least 475 fatalities and widespread infrastructure damage.
The disaster triggered international aid efforts and renewed calls for improved disaster preparedness.
Communities continue to rebuild, remembering the storm's ferocity and the lives lost.
2012
Typhoon Bopha
Philippines
2023day.year
Mount Marapi located in West Sumatra, Indonesia begins a sporadic series of eruptions. 23 people were killed, and 12 were injured.
Mount Marapi in Indonesia erupts sporadically, resulting in 23 deaths and 12 injuries.
On December 3, 2023, Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, entered a phase of sporadic volcanic activity.
Eruptions sent ash plumes and hot volcanic material cascading down the slopes.
Local authorities evacuated nearby villages, but 23 people lost their lives and 12 were injured.
Ashfall disrupted transportation, agriculture, and daily life across the West Sumatra region.
Geologists continue to monitor seismic readings, warning of potential further eruptions.
The event highlights the ongoing risks posed by Indonesia's many active volcanoes and the importance of disaster readiness.
2023
Mount Marapi
West Sumatra
Indonesia
sporadic series of eruptions