10 Forgotten Disasters That Shook the World
These 10 disasters caused enormous destruction and loss of life, yet many are rarely remembered or discussed today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
History often highlights a few major disasters, but many others have faded from public memory despite their scale and suffering. These events destroyed cities, claimed thousands of lives, and changed entire regions. Each one is worth remembering for what it reveals about human vulnerability and resilience.
1. The Banqiao Dam Failure (China, 1975)
Stevenliuyi on Wikimedia Commons
In August 1975, the Banqiao Dam collapsed after extreme rainfall from a typhoon struck Henan Province. The failure caused a chain reaction, with dozens of other dams also breaking. As a result, massive floods killed an estimated 170,000 people and displaced millions. It remains one of the deadliest man-made disasters in history, but was hidden from public view for decades.
2. The Great Smog of London (United Kingdom, 1952)
N T Stobbs on Wikimedia Commons
A thick layer of toxic smog settled over London in December 1952 due to coal burning and cold weather. It lasted for five days and reduced visibility to near zero in many parts of the city. The smog caused serious respiratory problems and is now believed to have killed around 12,000 people. This event pushed the government to pass clean air laws.
3. The Jōgan Tsunami (Japan, 869 AD)
Anglo-Araneophilus on Wikimedia Commons
A massive earthquake off the coast of northern Japan triggered a powerful tsunami that struck the Sendai region. The disaster caused widespread flooding, destroyed homes, and killed many residents. The disaster was largely forgotten until scientists discovered tsunami deposits while studying the 2011 Tōhoku disaster. This discovery showed that similar events had happened centuries earlier.
4. The Spanish Flu in India (India, 1918–1919)
Otis Historical Archives on Wikimedia Commons
While the 1918 influenza pandemic is globally known, its impact on India is often overlooked. India lost over 12 million people, possibly the highest death toll of any country during the pandemic. Poor healthcare infrastructure and famine worsened the spread. The event deeply scarred Indian society but received little global attention.
5. The Vajont Dam Disaster (Italy, 1963)
US Army on Wikimedia Commons
In October 1963, a landslide into the Vajont Dam reservoir displaced a massive wave of water. The wave surged over the dam and swept through the towns below, killing nearly 2,000 people. The dam itself did not collapse, but the water destroyed entire communities. Poor planning and ignored warnings led to the tragedy.
6. The Great Molasses Flood (USA, 1919)
BPL on Wikimedia Commons
In Boston, a large storage tank holding over 2 million gallons of molasses burst. A wave of molasses rushed through the streets at about 35 mph, destroying buildings and killing 21 people. The syrup flooded basements and trapped animals and people alike. The disaster exposed poor industrial regulation at the time.
7. The Nevado del Ruiz Eruption (Colombia, 1985)
Alejandro Bayer Tamayo on Wikimedia Commons
This volcano erupted in November 1985, sending lahars (volcanic mudflows) down into nearby valleys. The town of Armero was buried under thick mud, killing over 20,000 people. Warnings had been issued, but evacuation plans were delayed. It became one of the worst volcanic disasters of the 20th century.
8. The Halifax Explosion (Canada, 1917)
WarBaCoN on Wikimedia Commons
In December 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbor, one of them carrying large amounts of explosives. The resulting blast was the largest man-made explosion before the atomic bomb. It flattened part of the city, killed nearly 2,000 people, and injured thousands more. Recovery took years, and the event is still not widely known outside Canada.
9. The Coringa Cyclone (India, 1839)
Monsters and Critics on Wikimedia Commons
A massive cyclone struck the port town of Coringa on India’s eastern coast in 1839. It brought a powerful storm surge that destroyed thousands of homes and killed an estimated 300,000 people. The disaster wiped out most of the town’s infrastructure. Coringa never fully recovered and lost its former status as a major trading hub.
10. The Sinking of the MV Doña Paz (Philippines, 1987)
lindsaybridge on Wikimedia Commons
The passenger ferry MV Doña Paz collided with an oil tanker in the Tablas Strait. Both ships caught fire, and the ferry sank within minutes. Over 4,000 people died, making it the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster. Overcrowding and a lack of proper safety measures made the tragedy worse.