893day.year
An earthquake destroys the city of Dvin, Armenia.
A devastating earthquake struck Dvin in Armenia, obliterating much of the city.
In December 893, a powerful earthquake struck the medieval Armenian capital of Dvin.
Contemporary accounts describe widespread collapse of buildings and heavy casualties.
The quake disrupted trade and administrative functions in the Bagratid kingdom.
Limited resources and aftershocks hampered reconstruction efforts.
Dvin never fully regained its former prominence, marking a turning point in regional history.
893
destroys
Dvin
Armenia
1879day.year
Tay Bridge disaster: The central part of the Tay Rail Bridge in Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom collapses as a train passes over it, killing 75.
The central section of the Tay Rail Bridge collapses under a passing train, killing 75 people.
In the early hours of December 28, 1879, the Tay Rail Bridge near Dundee, Scotland, catastrophically collapsed during a high windstorm as a North British Railway train crossed it. Designed by Sir Thomas Bouch, the structure failed due to design flaws and inadequate ironwork under extreme weather conditions. All aboard the train plunged into the icy waters of the Firth of Tay, resulting in the loss of 75 lives. The disaster prompted a thorough public inquiry and led to major changes in bridge engineering and safety regulations in the United Kingdom. Its tragic legacy endures as a cautionary tale in civil engineering history.
1879
Tay Bridge disaster
Tay Rail Bridge
Dundee
1908day.year
The 7.1 Mw Messina earthquake shakes Southern Italy with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing between about 80,000.
A devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Messina, Southern Italy, causing massive destruction and high casualties.
In the early morning of December 28, 1908, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked the Strait of Messina, registering XI on the Mercalli intensity scale. The tremor flattened the cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria, leaving tens of thousands homeless amid winter conditions. A subsequent tsunami devastated coastal areas, compounding the disaster’s toll. Estimates of the death toll vary, but around 80,000 people perished, making it one of Europe’s deadliest seismic events. The catastrophe spurred international relief efforts and advanced the study of seismology and emergency response planning in Italy and beyond.
1908
Messina earthquake
Southern Italy
Mercalli intensity
1948day.year
The DC-3 airliner NC16002 disappears 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Miami.
The DC-3 airliner NC16002 vanished southeast of Miami on December 28, 1948, during a routine flight.
Flight NC16002, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft, disappeared during a routine scheduled service 80 kilometers south of Miami on December 28, 1948. The plane lost contact with air traffic control late that evening and never reached its destination. Despite one of the largest search operations deployed by sea and air, no wreckage or survivors were ever found. The disappearance remains unexplained, sparking theories of mechanical failure, navigational error, or foul play. The mystery of NC16002 continues to intrigue aviation historians and amateur investigators. Its fate stands as one of the greatest unsolved aviation puzzles of the mid-20th century.
1948
DC-3
NC16002
Miami
1978day.year
United Airlines Flight 173 crashes in a residential neighborhood near Portland International Airport, killing 10 people.
On December 28, 1978, United Airlines Flight 173 ran out of fuel and crashed in a Portland neighborhood, resulting in 10 fatalities.
Flight 173 departed New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport en route to Portland with a scheduled stop in Denver. During its approach to Portland International Airport, the crew became preoccupied with a landing gear indicator malfunction. Their focus on troubleshooting delayed the descent, causing the aircraft to exhaust its fuel supply. With both engines shutting down, the plane crashed into a nearby residential area. While most passengers survived, 10 people lost their lives in the accident. The tragedy led to industry-wide reforms in crew resource management and cockpit communication, emphasizing the critical importance of fuel monitoring and decision-making under pressure.
1978
United Airlines Flight 173
Portland International Airport
1989day.year
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, killing 13 people.
On December 28, 1989, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Newcastle, Australia, killing 13 people and causing widespread damage.
At 10:27 a.m. local time on December 28, 1989, a shallow earthquake measuring magnitude 5.6 struck near Newcastle in New South Wales. It became the deadliest earthquake in Australia's recorded history, claiming 13 lives and injuring more than 160 people. The tremor damaged thousands of homes and businesses, with nearly 6,000 structures assessed for safety and repairs. Emergency services and volunteers conducted search and rescue operations amid aftershocks. The disaster prompted a state of emergency declaration and the rapid deployment of support resources. In the quake's aftermath, revisions to building codes and disaster preparedness protocols were implemented to mitigate future seismic risks. The Newcastle earthquake remains a defining event in Australia's approach to natural disaster management.
1989
magnitude 5.6 earthquake
Newcastle, New South Wales
2014day.year
Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 crashes into the Karimata Strait en route from Surabaya to Singapore, killing all 162 people aboard.
On December 28, 2014, Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 crashed into the Karimata Strait while flying from Surabaya to Singapore, killing all 162 aboard.
Flight 8501 took off from Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport bound for Singapore on December 28, 2014. While crossing the Java Sea, the aircraft encountered severe weather and communicated a change in its flight path to avoid storms. Shortly thereafter, radar contact was lost and search operations commenced. Wreckage and bodies were recovered from the Karimata Strait, confirming no survivors among the 162 passengers and crew. The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee identified a malfunction in the rudder control system and the crew’s response to adverse weather as contributing factors. The disaster prompted calls for enhanced weather monitoring, improved pilot training, and stricter maintenance protocols in the region.
2014
Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501
Karimata Strait
Surabaya
Singapore
2014day.year
Nine people die and another 19 are reported missing, when the MS Norman Atlantic catches fire in the Strait of Otranto, in the Adriatic Sea, in Italian waters.
On December 28, 2014, the MS Norman Atlantic ferry caught fire in the Strait of Otranto, resulting in nine deaths and 19 people missing.
During a stormy night in the Adriatic Sea on December 28, 2014, the MS Norman Atlantic caught fire aboard its vehicle deck. Smoke quickly filled passenger areas, triggering emergency alarms and evacuation procedures. Italian coast guard vessels, along with nearby ships, responded to distress calls and executed large-scale rescue operations. Of the more than 400 passengers and crew, nine were confirmed dead and nineteen remained missing after the blaze. Investigations later focused on the ferry’s fire detection systems and evacuation protocols, examining delays in issuing orders. The incident led to revisions in European Union maritime safety regulations and reinforced the importance of rigorous vessel safety checks. Survivors described harrowing scenes of chaos as they evacuated in lifeboats amid rough seas.
MS Norman Atlantic
Strait of Otranto
Adriatic Sea