1814day.year
Mayon in the Philippines erupts, killing around 1,200 people, which was the most devastating eruption of the volcano.
Mount Mayon erupts violently in 1814, causing widespread devastation in the Philippines. Approximately 1,200 lives are lost in the disaster.
Mount Mayon, the Philippines’ most active volcano, erupted on February 1, 1814, unleashing deadly pyroclastic flows and lahars on the surrounding communities. The eruption buried homes, crops, and villages under ash and volcanic debris within hours. Contemporary accounts describe rivers of molten rock and choking clouds of ash that spanned several kilometers. Local defenses were overwhelmed, and many residents had little warning of the impending catastrophe. Official tallies estimated around 1,200 fatalities, making it the deadliest eruption Mayon had recorded. The disaster prompted early efforts at volcanic monitoring and influenced later colonial-era responses to natural hazards.
1814
Mayon
Philippines
1957day.year
Northeast Airlines Flight 823 crashes on Rikers Island in New York City, killing 20 people and injuring 78 others.
Northeast Airlines Flight 823 crashed on Rikers Island, New York, on February 1, 1957, resulting in 20 deaths and 78 injuries.
On February 1, 1957, Northeast Airlines Flight 823 crashed during its approach to New York City and came down on Rikers Island. Adverse weather and poor visibility contributed to the aircraft losing control before impact. Twenty passengers and crew members were killed, and seventy-eight others suffered injuries ranging from minor to severe. Rescue teams faced challenging winter conditions as they worked to evacuate survivors and secure the wreckage. The tragedy prompted a comprehensive review of airline safety procedures, approach protocols, and ground emergency response efforts.
1957
Northeast Airlines Flight 823
Rikers Island
New York City
1974day.year
A fire in the 25-story Joelma Building in São Paulo, Brazil kills 189 and injures 293.
A devastating fire broke out in São Paulo's 25-story Joelma Building, claiming 189 lives and injuring 293.
On February 1, 1974, a fierce blaze erupted on the top floor of the Joelma Building, a 25-story office tower in São Paulo, Brazil.
Flames quickly engulfed the building due to inadequate fireproofing and a lack of emergency stairwells.
Smoke filled the corridors, trapping workers and visitors who faced harrowing choices between smoke inhalation and high-altitude jumps.
Rescue efforts were hampered by limited firefighting equipment and poor building design, resulting in 189 deaths and 293 injuries.
The disaster prompted Brazil to overhaul its fire safety regulations, mandating sprinkler systems and better evacuation plans for high-rises.
Today, the Joelma fire remains one of the deadliest structural blazes in Latin American history, a stark reminder of urban safety challenges.
1974
A fire
Joelma Building
São Paulo
1991day.year
A runway collision between USAir Flight 1493 and SkyWest Flight 5569 at Los Angeles International Airport results in the deaths of 34 people, and injuries to 30 others.
A catastrophic runway collision at LAX between USAir Flight 1493 and SkyWest Flight 5569 killed 34 and injured 30.
On February 1, 1991, USAir Flight 1493 collided with SkyWest Flight 5569 on the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
A miscommunication with air traffic control led to the SkyWest commuter plane being in the path of the larger USAir jet.
The crash killed 34 people aboard the USAir flight and injured 30 passengers and crew across both aircraft.
The disaster exposed flaws in airport runway management and emergency response protocols.
In its aftermath, the FAA implemented stricter ground control procedures and improved runway incursion prevention technology.
The tragedy remains a somber reminder of the critical importance of clear communication in aviation safety.
1991
collision
Los Angeles International Airport
1991day.year
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes the Hindu Kush region, killing at least 848 people in Afghanistan, Pakistan and present-day Tajikistan.
A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region, causing widespread devastation and killing at least 848.
On February 1, 1991, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the remote Hindu Kush region, affecting Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of present-day Tajikistan.
The mountainous terrain and sparse infrastructure hampered rescue efforts, leaving communities isolated and vulnerable.
At least 848 people lost their lives, and thousands more were injured or displaced in collapsed homes and villages.
Aftershocks persisted for days, compounding the fear and destruction faced by survivors.
International relief organizations struggled to deliver aid across rugged landscapes and harsh winter conditions.
The quake underscored the seismic risks in Central Asia and prompted improvements in regional disaster preparedness and building codes.
1991
magnitude 6.8 earthquake
Hindu Kush
2003day.year
Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during the reentry of mission STS-107 into the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts aboard.
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry, killing all seven crew members aboard STS-107.
The Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas and Louisiana as it reentered Earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003.
All seven astronauts on mission STS-107 perished, including veterans and first-time flyers who were conducting scientific experiments.
The disaster led to a 29-month hiatus in the shuttle program while NASA overhauled safety procedures and thermal protection systems.
Investigations revealed that damage to Columbia's wing during launch allowed hot gases to penetrate the spacecraft on reentry.
Columbia's loss had a profound impact on human spaceflight, prompting renewed focus on risk management and crew safety.
2003
Space Shuttle Columbia
disintegrated during the reentry
STS-107
2004day.year
Hajj pilgrimage stampede: In a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, 251 people are trampled to death and 244 injured.
A fatal stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia on February 1, 2004, killed 251 people and injured 244.
On February 1, 2004, a massive crowd crush occurred at the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Over 100,000 pilgrims had gathered to perform the symbolic Stoning of the Devil when panic erupted in the narrow pathways.
In the ensuing stampede, 251 people lost their lives and 244 were injured, making it one of the deadliest Hajj disasters.
The tragedy prompted Saudi authorities to review crowd control measures, leading to infrastructure improvements in later years.
Despite the solemn nature of the Hajj, the event highlighted the challenges of managing massive gatherings safely.
2004
Hajj pilgrimage stampede
Hajj
Saudi Arabia
2022day.year
Five-year-old Moroccan boy Rayan Aourram falls into a 32-meter (105 feet) deep well in Ighran village in Tamorot commune, Chefchaouen Province, Morocco, but dies four days later, before rescue workers reached him.
In February 2022, five-year-old Rayan Aourram fell into a deep well in rural Morocco, tragically perishing despite a massive rescue effort.
On February 1, 2022, five-year-old Rayan Aourram slipped and fell into a 32-meter-deep well near the village of Ighran in Morocco.
Rescue teams from local authorities and volunteers worked tirelessly, drilling and lowering harnesses to reach him.
The boy became trapped in a narrow shaft, complicating extraction efforts and sparking an international outpouring of support.
Over four days, experts used advanced machinery and carefully monitored his condition via a camera-equipped borehole probe.
Despite these efforts, Rayan’s body was recovered on February 5, and he was pronounced dead upon retrieval.
The tragedy highlighted the dangers of unsecured wells and prompted calls for stricter safety measures in rural areas.
The incident resonated worldwide, with many appalled by the risks faced by children in isolated communities.
2022
Rayan Aourram
Tamorot
Chefchaouen Province