1907day.year
The New Zealand Parliament Buildings are almost completely destroyed by fire.
A major fire nearly destroys the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington in 1907.
On December 11, 1907, a devastating fire broke out in the wooden wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington.
Flames spread rapidly, engulfing the library and office chambers before firefighters contained the blaze.
Although the main debating chamber survived, the loss of archives and office space was significant.
Volunteers and crew worked through the night to salvage furniture and important documents.
Reconstruction incorporated fire-resistant materials and updated architectural features.
The incident underscored the vulnerability of public infrastructure to disaster.
Today's Parliament complex bears design improvements reflecting lessons learned from the 1907 fire.
1907
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
1988day.year
A Soviet Air Force Il-76 aircraft crashes while participating in the Armenian earthquake relief, killing 78 people.
During December 1988 relief efforts after the Armenian earthquake, a Soviet Il-76 military transport plane crashed, killing 78 on board.
On December 11, 1988, a Soviet Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft was en route to the devastated Armenian region following a catastrophic earthquake.
Facing severe weather and challenging terrain, the crew struggled to maintain control as they delivered vital relief supplies.
The aircraft crashed under uncertain circumstances, resulting in the loss of all 78 people aboard.
The tragedy underscored the immense risks undertaken by military personnel in humanitarian missions.
It also highlighted the logistical difficulties in responding to natural disasters in remote or mountainous regions.
1988
Soviet Air Force
crashes
Armenian earthquake
1990day.year
Several fatal collisions in the 1990 Interstate 75 fog disaster result in a total of 12 deaths and 42 being injured
A thick fog on Interstate 75 in December 1990 led to a series of fatal collisions, causing 12 deaths and injuring 42 people.
On December 11, 1990, a dense ground fog enveloped a stretch of Interstate 75 in the southern United States.
Reduced visibility at dawn led to multiple chain-reaction crashes involving passenger vehicles and trucks.
Authorities reported a total of 12 fatalities and 42 injuries among motorists.
Rescue crews faced challenging conditions as lingering fog hampered emergency response.
The disaster prompted calls for improved weather warning systems and safer driving guidelines in low-visibility conditions.
1990 Interstate 75 fog disaster
1993day.year
A block of the Highland Towers condominium complex collapses following a landslide caused by heavy rain and water flowing from a construction site at Ampang district in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 48 of its residents die, including one who died in hospital after being rescued alive, leaving only two survivors.
In December 1993, part of Kuala Lumpur’s Highland Towers condominium collapsed after a landslide, killing 48 residents.
On December 11, 1993, heavy rains triggered a massive landslide at the Ampang district in Kuala Lumpur.
A section of the Highland Towers condominium gave way, burying apartments under mud and debris.
Despite heroic rescue efforts, 48 residents perished, with only two survivors pulled from the rubble.
Investigations pointed to poor drainage and construction-site runoff as contributing factors.
The tragedy led to stricter building regulations and landslide mitigation measures in Malaysia's hilly regions.
1993
Highland Towers
condominium
landslide
Ampang
Kuala Lumpur
1994day.year
A bomb explodes on Philippine Airlines Flight 434, en route from Manila, Philippines, to Tokyo, Japan, killing one. The captain is able to land the plane safely.
A bomb planted on Philippine Airlines Flight 434 exploded during a Manila–Tokyo flight in December 1994, killing one passenger.
On December 11, 1994, a concealed explosive device detonated aboard Philippine Airlines Flight 434 en route to Tokyo.
The bomb, planted by a terrorist operative, killed one passenger and damaged the aircraft.
Despite the explosion, the flight crew managed to land the aircraft safely in Okinawa, avoiding a major catastrophe.
Investigators later traced the attack to a plot aimed at testing airline security for larger-scale operations.
This incident led to enhanced screening procedures and international cooperation against aviation terrorism.
Philippine Airlines Flight 434
Manila
Philippines
1998day.year
Thai Airways Flight 261 crashes near Surat Thani Airport, killing 101. The pilot flying the Airbus A310-200 is thought to have suffered spatial disorientation.
In December 1998, Thai Airways Flight 261 crashed during its approach to Surat Thani Airport, killing 101 people.
On December 11, 1998, an Airbus A310-200 operating as Thai Airways Flight 261 approached Surat Thani Airport in poor weather conditions.
The captain and crew experienced spatial disorientation in heavy rain and low visibility.
The aircraft descended below its intended flight path and impacted hilly terrain, killing 101 of the 146 people on board.
Survivors and rescuers faced challenging conditions amid dense forest and continuous rain.
The accident prompted revisions to Thai Airways' approach procedures and crew training on spatial awareness.
1998
Thai Airways Flight 261 crashes
Surat Thani Airport
Airbus A310-200
spatial disorientation
1999day.year
SATA Air Açores Flight 530M crashes into Pico da Esperança on São Jorge Island in the Azores, killing 35.
SATA Air Açores Flight 530M crashed into Pico da Esperança on São Jorge Island in December 1999, killing all 35 aboard.
On December 11, 1999, a SATA Air Açores aircraft operating as Flight 530M departed Ponta Delgada for Vila do Porto but encountered navigational errors.
The plane collided with Pico da Esperança, the highest point on São Jorge Island, in dense fog.
All 35 passengers and crew members perished in the impact, making it one of the Azores' deadliest aviation accidents.
Investigations highlighted deficiencies in terrain awareness systems and challenging meteorological conditions.
The tragedy led to improvements in regional flight safety standards and navigational equipment.
1999
SATA Air Açores Flight 530M
Pico da Esperança
São Jorge Island
Azores
2005day.year
The Buncefield Oil Depot catches fire in Hemel Hempstead, England.
A massive fire broke out at the Buncefield Oil Depot near Hemel Hempstead, England, on December 11, 2005, resulting in one of the largest explosions in peacetime Europe.
On the morning of December 11, 2005, an overpressurised fuel storage tank at the Buncefield Oil Depot ruptured and ignited. The blaze quickly escalated into a towering fireball visible from miles around. Emergency crews battled the inferno for days to contain the flames and prevent further explosions. Thousands of residents were evacuated as thick black smoke and toxic fumes spread. Although no fatalities occurred, several firefighters sustained injuries and local businesses suffered significant losses. The incident prompted a major review of industrial safety regulations in the UK. The subsequent investigation highlighted failures in monitoring systems and led to reforms in fuel storage management.
2005
Buncefield Oil Depot catches fire
Hemel Hempstead