1362day.year
Saint Marcellus' flood kills at least 25,000 people on the shores of the North Sea.
A catastrophic North Sea storm surge known as Saint Marcellus’ flood devastates coastal regions, killing over 25,000 people.
On January 17, 1362, a violent storm surge called the Saint Marcellus’ flood sweeps across the shores of the North Sea. Also known as the Grote Mandrenke, it breaches dikes and inundates vast areas of present-day Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Medieval communities, unprepared for such force, suffer massive loss of life and destruction of settlements. At least 25,000 lives are lost, and churches, farms, and fortifications are carried away by the raging waters. The disaster reshapes coastlines and spurs advances in medieval flood defense engineering. It remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in European history.
1362
Saint Marcellus' flood
1966day.year
Palomares incident: A B-52 bomber collides with a KC-135 Stratotanker over Spain, killing seven airmen, and dropping three 70-kiloton nuclear bombs near the town of Palomares and another one into the sea.
A U.S. B-52 bomber collided with a KC-135 over Spain, dropping multiple nuclear bombs near Palomares and triggering a major clean-up operation.
On January 17, 1966, a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber collided mid-air with a KC-135 tanker during aerial refueling near Palomares, Spain. The crash killed seven airmen and released four hydrogen bombs, three of which landed on Spanish soil and one into the Mediterranean Sea. Although none of the bombs detonated, two suffered non-nuclear explosions, spreading plutonium contamination across farmland and coastal areas. The U.S. military conducted an extensive search and recovery operation known as Operation Chrome Dome, retrieving the lost bomb from the sea after nearly three months. The incident heightened Cold War tensions and raised public fears about nuclear safety. It led to changes in flight protocols and greater transparency in handling nuclear weapons accidents.
1966
Palomares incident
B-52
KC-135 Stratotanker
nuclear bombs
Palomares
1994day.year
The 6.7 Mw Northridge earthquake shakes the Greater Los Angeles Area with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leaving 57 people dead and more than 8,700 injured.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes Northridge in the Greater Los Angeles Area, causing widespread destruction and hundreds of casualties.
On January 17, 1994, the Northridge earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 Mw shook the western San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles at a peak Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The quake struck without warning at 4:30 AM local time, collapsing buildings, rupturing gas lines, and triggering fires. It claimed 57 lives, injured over 8,700 people, and caused billions of dollars in damage. Infrastructure such as highways, bridges, and water mains suffered critical failures, disrupting daily life across the metropolitan area. The disaster prompted major changes in building codes and accelerated research into earthquake-resistant design. Community response included rapid mobilization of emergency services and volunteers. The Northridge quake became a pivotal event in California's seismic preparedness and urban planning.
1994
Northridge earthquake
Greater Los Angeles Area
Mercalli intensity
1995day.year
The 6.9 Mw Great Hanshin earthquake shakes the southern Hyōgo Prefecture with a maximum Shindo of 7, leaving 5,502–6,434 people dead, and 251,301–310,000 displaced.
A devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan, leading to thousands of fatalities and widespread devastation.
On January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin earthquake, registering 6.9 Mw, struck the southern region of Hyōgo Prefecture near Kobe at a maximum Shindo intensity of 7. It occurred in the early morning hours, catching many residents by surprise as they slept. The tremor destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings, including homes, shops, and industrial facilities. Official figures recorded between 5,502 and 6,434 fatalities and left over 250,000 people displaced. Transportation networks collapsed, severing vital links in rail, road, and port operations and hindering relief efforts. The catastrophe spurred significant reforms in Japan's disaster management and emergency response systems. Rescue operations by local and international teams highlighted both heroic efforts and logistical challenges in urban quakes. The Kobe earthquake remains one of Japan's deadliest and most studied seismic events.
1995
Great Hanshin earthquake
Hyōgo Prefecture
Shindo
2002day.year
Mount Nyiragongo erupts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displacing an estimated 400,000 people.
In January 2002, the Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo violently erupted, forcing around 400,000 residents to flee.
Mount Nyiragongo, located on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. On January 17, 2002, its lava lake overflowed, sending fast-moving streams of molten rock toward the city of Goma. The eruption destroyed neighborhoods, infrastructure, and the city’s airport, trapping hundreds of thousands of people. Emergency responders and aid agencies staged large-scale relief operations to provide food, water, and shelter. Despite the devastation, there were relatively few direct fatalities thanks to timely warnings. The disaster highlighted the urgent need for improved monitoring and evacuation strategies in high-risk volcanic zones. Recovery took years as communities rebuilt and strengthened volcanic surveillance.
2002
Mount Nyiragongo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
2008day.year
British Airways Flight 38 crashes short of the runway at Heathrow Airport, injuring 47.
In 2008, British Airways Flight 38 crash-landed at Heathrow Airport, resulting in injuries to 47 passengers and crew.
On January 17, 2008, British Airways Flight 38 from Beijing to London encountered a critical engine issue on its final approach to Heathrow Airport. The aircraft struck the runway perimeter short of the touchdown zone, tearing off landing gear and skidding along the ground. Emergency crews responded swiftly, evacuating passengers and crew via emergency slides. Forty-seven people sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious, but there were no fatalities. The incident prompted an extensive investigation by aviation authorities, revealing fuel system icing as a key factor. Modifications were made to Boeing 777 aircraft fuel systems and operating procedures to prevent recurrence. The event remains one of the few major accidents involving the popular long-haul aircraft.
2008
British Airways Flight 38
Heathrow Airport
2017day.year
The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is announced to be suspended.
In 2017, authorities announced the suspension of the multi-nation search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which vanished in 2014.
After nearly three years of extensive efforts, on January 17, 2017, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau announced the suspension of the official search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The Boeing 777 disappeared on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, carrying 239 people. Despite underwater sonar sweeps and aerial searches across vast ocean expanses, no conclusive wreckage was located. The decision marked the end of the largest and most costly aviation search in history. Families of the missing passengers expressed frustration and sorrow over the lack of closure. Independent groups and experts continued to analyze data and debris findings in hopes of locating the aircraft. The mystery of MH370 remains one of aviation’s greatest unsolved cases.
2017
The search for
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
2023day.year
An avalanche strikes Nyingchi, Tibet, killing 28 people.
In 2023, a deadly avalanche hit Nyingchi in Tibet, claiming 28 lives and leaving communities reeling.
On January 17, 2023, a massive avalanche descended upon the mountainous region of Nyingchi in Tibet following heavy snowfall and unstable slopes. The sudden deluge of snow engulfed remote villages and trekking routes, catching residents and travelers off guard. Local authorities and emergency teams mobilized quickly to recover survivors and victims, braving harsh conditions. A total of 28 people were confirmed dead, and several others were injured or missing. Rescue operations involved airlifts and specialized mountain search units. The tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of high-altitude communities to extreme weather events. Investigations pointed to climate change-driven alterations in snowfall patterns as a contributing factor. Aid agencies provided relief supplies and psychological support to affected families.
2023
An avalanche strikes Nyingchi, Tibet