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New Delhi, Sept 2 (PMI): Is there something ominous about the date 26? The devastating flash floods that struck Nepal on August 26 have added another tragedy to a grim list of major disasters that occurred on the 26th of a month.
The list includes the 1939 Erzincan earthquake in Turkey, which killed more than 32,700 people, and the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, in which around 228,000 people were killed, reported missing or presumed dead.
The pattern is not limited to natural disasters. The Gujarat earthquake of January 26, 2001, claimed around 20,000 lives. November 26, 2008, marked the beginning of the Mumbai terror attacks, while the Chornobyl nuclear disaster occurred on April 26, 1986.
Here is a look at some of the major tragedies that unfolded on the 26th:
NATURAL DISASTERS
August 26, 2026: Nepal Flash Floods
A massive flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district and downstream areas after a sudden surge of water and debris entered the Bhote Koshi river system. The floods inundated settlements, washed away roads and bridges and damaged hydropower projects and other infrastructure.
As of August 31, authorities reported more than 900 deaths and nearly 4,500 people missing.
October 26, 2015: Hindu Kush Earthquake
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region, affecting Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of northern India. The earthquake caused widespread damage and reportedly killed around 400 people, with most casualties reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
May 26, 2006: Yogyakarta Earthquake, Indonesia
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near Yogyakarta on Indonesia’s Java island, causing extensive destruction. Thousands of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, while more than 5,700 people were killed.
July 26, 2005: Maharashtra Floods
Exceptionally heavy monsoon rainfall lashed Maharashtra on July 26, 2005, triggering catastrophic flooding, particularly in Mumbai. The city received around 944 mm of rain within 24 hours, inundating roads, homes and railway lines and bringing normal life to a standstill.
A total of 1,094 people were killed across Maharashtra.
December 26, 2004: Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra on December 26, triggering a massive tsunami that swept across countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand were among the worst affected.
Around 228,000 people were killed or left missing and presumed dead, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
December 26, 2003: Bam Earthquake, Iran
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Iranian city of Bam on December 26, destroying much of the historic city and surrounding settlements. Thousands of buildings collapsed and around 31,000 people were widely reported to have been killed.
March 25-26, 2002: Afghanistan Earthquakes
A series of earthquakes struck northern Afghanistan overnight on March 25-26, devastating parts of Baghlan province. Mud-brick homes collapsed, and thousands of people were left homeless.
Early estimates put the death toll as high as 1,800, although subsequent assessments varied considerably during rescue and recovery operations.
January 26, 2001: Gujarat Earthquake
A powerful earthquake struck Gujarat on January 26, 2001, devastating large parts of the state, particularly the Kutch region. More than 166,000 people were injured, and around 20,000 were killed.
April 26, 1990: Gonghe Earthquake, China
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck China’s Qinghai province on April 26, 1990, causing severe damage in the Gonghe region and killing more than 100 people.
November 26, 1987: Pantar Earthquake and Tsunami, Indonesia
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Pantar area of Indonesia on November 26, 1987, generating a tsunami. The disaster killed 125 people.
May 26, 1983: Sea of Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off northern Japan on May 26, 1983, triggering a tsunami that hit coastal areas of Akita and Aomori prefectures. The tsunami caused most of the casualties, with 104 people killed.
July 26, 1963: Skopje Earthquake
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Skopje, then part of Yugoslavia, on July 26, 1963. Much of the city was devastated, more than 200,000 people were left homeless, and about 1,070 people were killed.
November 26, 1943: Ladik Earthquake, Turkey
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Ladik-Samsun-Havza region of Turkey on November 26, 1943. The earthquake caused extensive destruction across northern Turkey and killed about 4,020 people.
December 26-27, 1939: Erzincan Earthquake, Turkey
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Erzincan region of Turkey on December 26, 1939, causing widespread destruction along the North Anatolian Fault. Thousands of buildings collapsed, and about 32,700 people were killed.
September 26, 1932: Lerissos Earthquake, Greece
A powerful earthquake struck the Chalkidiki peninsula of Greece on September 26, 1932, severely damaging Lerissos and surrounding areas. Hundreds of houses were destroyed, and a tsunami was also recorded.
Historical estimates of the death toll range from about 160 to nearly 500.
November 26, 1930: North Izu Earthquake, Japan
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Japan’s Izu Peninsula on November 26, 1930. The quake caused widespread damage, while landslides and fires added to the destruction.
Around 250 people were killed, with later catalogues recording 272 deaths.
HUMAN-MADE TRAGEDIES
September 26, 2023: Qaraqosh Wedding Hall Fire, Iraq
A fire broke out at a wedding hall in Qaraqosh, near Mosul, after indoor pyrotechnics ignited highly flammable material. The fire spread rapidly through the crowded venue, killing more than 100 people and injuring dozens.
August 26, 2021: Kabul Airport Bombing
A suicide bomber from Islamic State-Khorasan detonated an explosive near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26, 2021, as thousands of people gathered during the US-led evacuation from Afghanistan.
At least 183 people, including 170 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members, were killed.
November 26, 2008: Mumbai Terror Attacks
The Mumbai terror attacks began on the night of November 26, 2008, when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists launched coordinated attacks at several locations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
The siege lasted nearly three days. A total of 166 victims were killed, while nine attackers were also killed and more than 300 people were injured.
May 26, 1991: Lauda Air Flight 004 Crash
A Lauda Air Boeing 767 flying from Bangkok to Vienna crashed in Thailand on May 26, 1991, after an uncommanded deployment of an engine thrust reverser caused the aircraft to lose control and break apart.
All 223 people aboard were killed.
April 26, 1986: Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster
Reactor No. 4 at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in then-Soviet Ukraine exploded during a safety test on April 26, 1986, releasing large amounts of radioactive material.
The immediate official death toll was 31, while the incident caused widespread radiation exposure across parts of Europe. Long-term deaths attributable to radiation remain a matter of scientific estimation rather than a directly counted toll.
April 26, 1942: Benxihu Colliery Disaster, China
A gas and coal-dust explosion ripped through the Benxihu coal mine in China’s Liaoning province on April 26, 1942.
Carbon monoxide poisoning following the explosion killed 1,549 miners, making it one of the deadliest mining disasters in history. (pressmediaofindia.com)
