1586day.year
The magnitude 7.9 Tenshō earthquake strikes Honshu, Japan, killing 8,000 people and triggering a tsunami.
A devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami struck Honshu, causing widespread destruction.
On January 18, 1586, the powerful Tenshō earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9 rocked the island of Honshu in Japan. The tremor was followed by a massive tsunami that swept coastal villages and towns, leading to an estimated 8,000 deaths. Buildings, including temples and castles, collapsed under the force of the quake, while farmlands were inundated by seawater. The disaster prompted local daimyo to organize relief efforts and rebuild infrastructure. The earthquake stands as one of the deadliest natural catastrophes of the Sengoku period, highlighting both Japan’s seismic risks and the resilience of its communities.
1586
Tenshō earthquake
Honshu
tsunami
1960day.year
Capital Airlines Flight 20 crashes into a farm in Charles City County, Virginia, killing all 50 aboard, the third fatal Capital Airlines crash in as many years.
Capital Airlines Flight 20 crashes into a Virginia farm due to severe icing, killing all 50 onboard.
On January 18, 1960, Capital Airlines Flight 20, a Vickers Viscount turboprop, encountered heavy icing shortly after departure from Washington, D.C. The aircraft lost lift and control as ice accumulated on its wings. It plunged into a farm field in Charles City County, Virginia, killing all 50 passengers and crew. Investigators identified inadequate deicing equipment and procedures as primary factors in the tragedy. The crash prompted reforms in airline anti-icing standards and pilot training for winter conditions. A memorial now stands near the crash site to honor those who lost their lives.
1960
Capital Airlines Flight 20
Charles City County, Virginia
Capital Airlines
1969day.year
United Airlines Flight 266 crashes into Santa Monica Bay killing all 32 passengers and six crew members.
United Airlines Flight 266 crashes into Santa Monica Bay after losing communication, killing all 38 aboard.
On January 18, 1969, United Airlines Flight 266, a Douglas DC-8 flying from Los Angeles to Seattle, disappeared from air traffic control radar. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into Santa Monica Bay, killing all 32 passengers and six crew members. Recovery teams located wreckage scattered across the seabed but found no survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that electrical failures leading to loss of cockpit communications contributed to the accident. The tragedy led United Airlines and regulators to enhance cockpit redundancy systems and emergency protocols. Annual memorial services honor those who lost their lives in this aviation disaster.
1969
United Airlines Flight 266
Santa Monica Bay
1977day.year
Australia's worst rail disaster occurs at Granville, Sydney, killing 83.
Australia’s deadliest rail accident occurred at Granville, Sydney, in 1977, claiming 83 lives.
On January 18, 1977, a commuter train derailed on a sharp curve near Granville station in Sydney, Australia.
The crash caused two carriages to collapse onto each other and the platform below, trapping passengers.
Eighty-three people died and more than 200 were injured in what remains the nation’s worst rail disaster.
Emergency services faced challenging conditions as they worked through wreckage and fire to rescue survivors.
A public inquiry identified track infrastructure failures and operational oversights as key factors.
The tragedy led to sweeping reforms in rail safety regulations and maintenance protocols across Australia.
rail disaster
Granville, Sydney
1977day.year
SFR Yugoslavia's Prime minister, Džemal Bijedić, his wife and six others are killed in a plane crash in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Yugoslav Prime Minister Džemal Bijedić and seven others died in a plane crash in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1977.
On January 18, 1977, a private plane carrying Yugoslav Prime Minister Džemal Bijedić crashed near Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bijedić, his wife, and six others were all killed in the accident, which occurred in foggy conditions.
The crash sent shockwaves through Yugoslavia, as Bijedić was a leading figure in the communist government.
Official reports cited pilot error and poor visibility, but conspiracy theories persisted for years.
His death created a sudden leadership vacuum and influenced political dynamics in the federation.
Bijedić’s legacy continues to be debated among historians of Yugoslav politics.
SFR Yugoslavia's
Džemal Bijedić
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1986day.year
An Aerovías Sud Aviation Caravelle crashes on approach to Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores, Petén, Guatemala, killing all 94 people on board.
An Aerovías Sud Caravelle crashed on approach to Mundo Maya Airport in Guatemala in 1986, killing all 94 aboard.
On January 18, 1986, Aerovías Sud Flight 203, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, crashed while landing at Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores, Guatemala.
All 94 passengers and crew on board perished in the accident.
Investigators pointed to pilot error and navigational challenges amid poor weather conditions.
The tragedy led to stricter regulations for approach procedures and aircraft maintenance in the region.
Local communities mourned as rescue efforts were hampered by dense jungle terrain.
The crash remains one of Guatemala’s deadliest aviation disasters.
1986
Aerovías
Sud Aviation Caravelle
crashes
Mundo Maya International Airport
Flores, Petén
1988day.year
China Southwest Airlines Flight 4146 crashes near Chongqing Baishiyi Airport, killing all 98 passengers and 10 crew members.
China Southwest Airlines Flight 4146 crashed near Chongqing in 1988, killing all 108 people on board.
On January 18, 1988, Flight 4146 of China Southwest Airlines crashed during its approach to Chongqing Baishiyi Airport.
The aircraft broke apart and caught fire, killing all 98 passengers and 10 crew members instantly.
Mechanical failure in one of the engines was cited as the primary cause of the disaster.
The incident prompted a nationwide safety review by Chinese civil aviation authorities.
Upgraded training programs and maintenance protocols were implemented afterward.
It remains a somber chapter in China’s commercial aviation history.
1988
China Southwest Airlines Flight 4146
Chongqing Baishiyi Airport
2003day.year
A bushfire kills four people and destroys more than 500 homes in Canberra, Australia.
In 2003, a sudden bushfire swept through Canberra, Australia, claiming four lives and destroying over 500 homes.
In 2003, a sudden bushfire tore through Canberra's suburbs, claiming four lives and destroying over 500 homes. The firestorm, fueled by drought conditions and strong winds, spread rapidly late in the afternoon. Volunteer and professional firefighters battled the blaze under extreme heat and smoke. Communities rallied to support displaced families and begin the long process of recovery. This tragic event prompted reviews of fire preparedness and new measures for early warning and community evacuation plans.
2003
bushfire
Canberra
2007day.year
The strongest storm in the United Kingdom in 17 years kills 14 people and Germany sees the worst storm since 1999 with 13 deaths. Cyclone Kyrill causes at least 44 deaths across 20 countries in Western Europe.
Cyclone Kyrill struck Europe in 2007, causing deadly destruction across 20 countries and claiming dozens of lives.
On January 18, 2007, Cyclone Kyrill swept across Western Europe, unleashing winds exceeding 150 km/h and causing widespread havoc. It was the deadliest storm in the UK in 17 years, killing 14 people, while Germany suffered 13 fatalities. The cyclone’s path crossed 20 countries, with a total death toll of at least 44. Whole forests were flattened, roofs torn off buildings, and transport networks ground to a halt. Emergency services launched large-scale rescue operations amid power outages and flooded rail lines. The storm’s impact led to significant discussions on climate resilience and disaster management across Europe.
2007
1999
Cyclone Kyrill
2018day.year
A bus catches fire on the Samara–Shymkent road in Yrgyz District, Aktobe, Kazakhstan. The fire kills 52 passengers, with three passengers and two drivers escaping.
A devastating bus fire in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region in 2018 claimed 52 lives and shocked the nation.
In 2018, a passenger bus traveling on the Samara–Shymkent route caught fire in Kazakhstan's Aktobe region, killing 52 people. The blaze erupted in the vehicle’s engine compartment and quickly engulfed the cabin, leaving little time for evacuation. Three passengers and both drivers managed to escape, recounting scenes of panic and towering flames. Authorities launched an investigation into possible mechanical failure and emergency response protocols. The tragedy sparked debates on road safety standards and regulations for intercity transport in remote areas.
2018
Samara
Shymkent
Yrgyz District
Aktobe
2019day.year
An oil pipeline explosion near Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico, kills 137 people.
An illicit fuel pipeline explosion in Mexico killed 137 people in 2019, highlighting the deadly risks of fuel theft.
An illicit tap into a government-run oil pipeline in Hidalgo, Mexico, ended in disaster on January 18, 2019, when the pipeline exploded, killing 137 people. Locals had gathered to collect fuel from the ruptured line, a consequence of rampant fuel theft in the region. The ignition, likely from a nearby spark, triggered a massive fireball and widespread devastation. Rescue crews faced overwhelming scenes of charred debris and casualties. The incident spotlighted the deadly risks of fuel siphoning and prompted stricter security measures and community outreach initiatives.
2019
An oil pipeline explosion
Tlahuelilpan
2023day.year
A helicopter crash in Ukraine leaves 14 people dead, including the country's Interior Minister, Denys Monastyrsky.
A fatal helicopter crash in Ukraine in 2023 killed 14 people, including Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, amid ongoing conflict.
On January 18, 2023, a helicopter carrying Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky crashed outside Kyiv, killing all 14 people on board. The Mi-8 helicopter went down amid harsh winter weather conditions, striking an apartment building upon impact. Minister Monastyrsky was overseeing preparations for civil defense operations during the ongoing conflict with Russia. The crash sent shockwaves through Ukraine's government, leading to an outpouring of national grief and calls for an urgent investigation. This tragic loss underscored the precarious challenges faced by officials working on the front lines of Ukraine's security efforts.
2023
A helicopter crash
Ukraine
Interior Minister
Denys Monastyrsky