1867day.year
Forty people die when ice covering the boating lake at Regent's Park, London, collapses.
A sudden ice collapse at Regent's Park boating lake in London kills forty people.
On January 15, 1867, a tragedy occurred at Regent's Park in London when the ice covering the boating lake gave way.
An estimated forty people fell into the freezing water.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the vast frozen area and limited equipment.
The incident highlighted the dangers of public winter pastimes without proper safety measures.
It led to increased public awareness and later regulations for ice skating and boating on frozen lakes in the city.
Contemporary newspapers and memorials underscored the shock felt by Victorian Londoners.
1867
Forty people die
Regent's Park
London
1919day.year
Great Molasses Flood: A wave of molasses released from an exploding storage tank sweeps through Boston, Massachusetts, killing 21 and injuring 150.
A massive molasses tank in Boston bursts, unleashing a deadly wave through city streets.
On January 15, 1919, a 50-foot-high tank holding over 2 million gallons of molasses ruptured in Boston's North End.
The sticky flood surged at an estimated 35 mph, demolishing buildings, overturning vehicles, and trapping victims.
Rescue teams struggled through the viscous syrup, ultimately recovering 21 bodies and treating around 150 injured.
Local residents reported the scent of molasses lingering for decades after the disaster.
The event led to landmark legal reforms in industrial safety and inspired lasting folklore in New England.
Great Molasses Flood
molasses
Boston
1934day.year
The 8.0 Mw Nepal–Bihar earthquake strikes Nepal and Bihar with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing an estimated 6,000–10,700 people.
A devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake levels communities in Nepal and India, causing massive casualties.
In the early hours of January 15, 1934, the Nepal–Bihar region was shaken by an 8.0 Mw earthquake of Mercalli intensity XI.
Entire villages were flattened, with thousands trapped beneath the rubble amidst freezing winter conditions.
Estimates of the death toll range from 6,000 to over 10,000, as relief efforts struggled against disrupted roads and landslides.
Historic temples and stupas crumbled, prompting widespread donations and aid from around the world.
Seismologists later studied this quake to improve understanding of Himalayan tectonic activity and earthquake preparedness.
1934
Nepal–Bihar earthquake
Nepal
Bihar
Mercalli intensity
1977day.year
Linjeflyg Flight 618 crashes in Kälvesta near Stockholm Bromma Airport in Stockholm, Sweden, killing 22 people.
Linjeflyg Flight 618 crashed near Stockholm Bromma Airport on January 15, 1977, resulting in the deaths of all 22 people on board.
Linjeflyg Flight 618, operated by a Vickers Viscount turboprop, departed Malmö for Bromma Airport on a wintry January day. As the aircraft approached Stockholm, heavy icing conditions impaired visibility and performance. The Viscount descended rapidly and struck trees in the Kälvesta suburb, crashing before reaching the runway. All 22 passengers and crew aboard were killed, making it one of Sweden's worst aviation accidents at the time. Investigations pointed to a combination of severe weather, icing accumulation, and insufficient de-icing procedures. The tragedy led to tighter regulations on anti-icing equipment and pilot training in Scandinavia. Memorials were erected near the crash site to honor those who lost their lives.
1977
Linjeflyg Flight 618
Kälvesta
Stockholm Bromma Airport
Stockholm
2009day.year
US Airways Flight 1549 ditches safely in the Hudson River after the plane collides with birds less than two minutes after take-off. This becomes known as "The Miracle on the Hudson" as all 155 people on board were rescued.
US Airways Flight 1549 safely ditched in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009 after a bird strike, an event dubbed “The Miracle on the Hudson.”
On January 15, 2009, Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 departing LaGuardia Airport, struck a flock of Canada geese, causing dual engine failure. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles executed a flawless water landing on the Hudson River, keeping all 155 passengers and crew alive. Nearby ferries and rescue boats arrived swiftly in freezing conditions to evacuate survivors. The incident emphasized the importance of crew resource management and emergency protocols in aviation. Dubbed “The Miracle on the Hudson,” it became a landmark case study in safety training and crisis response around the world.
2009
US Airways Flight 1549
ditches safely
Hudson River
collides with birds
2013day.year
A train carrying Egyptian Army recruits derails near Giza, Greater Cairo, killing 19 and injuring 120 others.
On January 15, 2013, a train transporting Egyptian Army recruits derailed near Giza, resulting in 19 deaths and over 120 injuries.
A derailment on January 15, 2013 sent a military train off the tracks near Giza, overturning several carriages and leaving 19 recruits dead and approximately 120 wounded. Investigations pointed to worn rails and inadequate maintenance on one of Egypt’s busiest lines. Emergency teams and local residents worked together to rescue survivors and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. The tragedy prompted government inquiries and renewed calls for modernization of Egypt’s rail infrastructure. It stands as one of the deadliest recent rail accidents in the country and highlighted systemic safety challenges.
2013
train
Egyptian Army
Giza
Greater Cairo
2021day.year
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia's Sulawesi island killing at least 105 and injuring 3,369 people.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia, on January 15, 2021, causing widespread destruction, killing over 100 people, and injuring more than 3,300.
On January 15, 2021, a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattled Indonesia's Sulawesi island, leaving communities in shock.
The tremor triggered landslides and building collapses across mountainous regions and coastal towns.
Official reports confirmed at least 105 fatalities and over 3,300 injuries as rescue teams scrambled to reach remote areas.
Homes, schools, and infrastructure suffered severe damage, compounding challenges for emergency responders.
Local and international aid organizations mobilized to provide medical care, shelter, and essential supplies to survivors.
The event highlighted Indonesia's vulnerability to seismic activity and the importance of disaster preparedness in the Pacific "Ring of Fire."
Reconstruction efforts continued in the months following as communities worked to rebuild and strengthen resilience.
2021
6.2-magnitude earthquake
Sulawesi
2022day.year
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupts, cutting off communications with Tonga and causing a tsunami across the Pacific.
On January 15, 2022, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in the South Pacific erupted violently, severing communications with Tonga and triggering tsunamis across the Pacific basin.
Early on January 15, 2022, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic island in the South Pacific unleashed a massive underwater eruption.
The blast generated powerful shock waves and tsunamis that propagated across Pacific coastlines from New Zealand to the Americas.
Communications with Tonga were cut off as ash and steam blanketed the atmosphere, hindering relief efforts.
Satellite imagery revealed an enormous ash plume towering into the stratosphere, raising concerns about climate impacts.
Coastal inundations damaged infrastructure and prompted tsunami warnings in multiple countries.
The eruption underscored the volatile nature of submarine volcanoes and international collaboration for monitoring geohazards.
Recovery teams worked to restore connectivity and assess environmental damage in the aftermath.
2022
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupts
Tonga
2023day.year
Yeti Airlines Flight 691 crashes near Pokhara International Airport, killing all 72 people on board.
On January 15, 2023, Yeti Airlines Flight 691 tragically crashed near Pokhara International Airport in Nepal, resulting in the deaths of all 72 passengers and crew members.
Yeti Airlines Flight 691, a domestic service from Kathmandu to Pokhara, ended in tragedy when it crashed near Pokhara International Airport on January 15, 2023.
The ATR 72 aircraft impacted mountainous terrain during its approach, resulting in the loss of all 72 people on board.
Rescue teams and local authorities responded swiftly, but harsh weather and challenging topography hampered recovery efforts.
The accident prompted an immediate safety investigation to determine factors such as pilot communication, weather conditions, and approach protocols.
Families and communities mourned as Nepal's aviation industry faced scrutiny over operational standards and infrastructure.
International aviation bodies offered technical support in the investigation, seeking to prevent future tragedies.
The crash remains one of Nepal's deadliest aviation accidents, shaping discussions on flight safety in mountainous regions.
2023
Yeti Airlines Flight 691
Pokhara International Airport