10 Disasters That Are Never Talked About

The world has seen a great number of atrocities over time; however, not all of them are talked about. Below are a list of catastrophic events which, for the most part, have fallen fall under the radar despite their remifications.

10. 1931 Floods in China

China has been a site of a number of terrible floods throughout history. Deaths resulting from the 1931 floods in particular were extremely drastic, and estimated at between 145,000 and 4,000,000 people. The floods happened after the drowning of three of China's major rivers, the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Huai River. In this particular year, it is believed that the weather conditions were severe with heavy rains, plenty of snow and cyclones being rampant in the country. The tragic floods caused death both directly and indirectly as food sources were destroyed making people starve to death.

9. 1977 Tenerife Airport Disaster in the Canary Islands

On March 27, 1977, a disaster occurred in the Canary Islands which claimed several lives. This disaster involved two passenger jets which came head to head on the runway. At 583 lives lost, it is the largest aviation disaster to have ever occurred after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The collision came as a result of abrupt diversion of the aircrafts from the airport due to a bomb that exploded within the airport.

8. 1985 Japan Airlines Flight 123 in Japan

This disaster occurred when the Japanese Airline flight 123 exploded and later crashed into mountain ridges located 100 kilometers from the county's capital of Tokyo. This disaster is linked to a mechanical problem developed by the aircraft which is said to have occurred due to a faulty repair done on the aircraft. The disaster claimed several lives inclusive of cabin crew members, the pilots and the passengers, the total number adding up to 509. On the world records, the natural disaster is recorded as the third deadliest after the Tenerife airport accident which claimed 583 persons and terrorist attacks of September 11.

7. 1948 Earthquake in Turkmenistan

Earthquakes are one of the most disastrous types of natural disasters that can occur. Although this 1948 incident claimed many lives, it is seldom spoken about. The area most intensely hit by the earthquake was Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. At the time of the event, Turkmenistan was a part of the USSR. The damage of the disaster overflowed into the surrounding villages. Property, the lives of people as well as animals were lost and the infrastructure destroyed. Around 110,000 people lost their lives in the earthquakes.

6. 1976 Earthquake in Guatemala

The events of this devastating earthquake is traced to the Motagua fault that is geographically located in Guatemala. The disaster occurred on February 4,1976. Not only did the earthquake claim lives but it also affected the infrastructural development in the region. The timing of the earthquake, which occurred when many people were sleeping, contributed to the death toll of 23,000.

5. 1871 Fire in Peshtigo, Wisconsin

This Wisconsin fire is said to have claimed the lives of between 1500 to 2500 persons. The natural disaster involved a forest fire that took place in the Peshtigo Forest in 1871. The major reason why the unfortunate event went silent is argued to be the simultaneous Chicago fire which was then more broadcast and focused on. The real and actual cause resulting into the fire is still unclear and several theories have been put forward to explain the wildfire.

4. 1970 Cyclone in Bangladesh

The people of Bangladesh will concur that this natural disaster was among the most unfortunate disasters to ever hit them yet little is said or known about it. The natural disaster claimed a sizable number of the population at the time. The disaster occurred due to the presence of a tropical cyclone which caused a severe storm which swept across the area of Bangladesh causing destruction and loss of lives along its path. The storm was indeed dangerous as the wind of the storm moved at a speed of 185km/h. The incident claimed the lives of a staggering 300,000 to 500,000 people.

3. 1984 industrial disaster in Bhopal, India

This natural disaster in India involved a gas leakage from a American-owned pesticide plant in the area of Bhopal. This occurred in 1984. The gas leakage exposed those nearby to dangerous and harmful methyl isocyanate gas. This gas affected and caused the demise of 2,259 persons. The death toll rose rapidly due to the penetration of the toxic gas into the shanty areas located close to industrial plant where several people have their homes.

2. 1970 Earthquake in Yungay, Peru

Peru, an area prone to earthquakes, experience a disastrous seismic event in May of 1970. This natural occurrence claimed several lives and massive property destruction. The earthquake triggered the movement of debris avalanche which then buried the town of Yungay, claiming 20,000 lives.

1. 1975 Floods in China

This natural occurrence in the republic of China claimed 171,000 lives and displaced even more. The floods were as a result of failure of the dam that was being constructed in the region of Henan province. The dam foundation was laid along River Ru. The irony in this incidence is that the dam itself was being constructed to control flooding in the area but ended up causing severe flooding itself hence causing loss of lives. The event however is not widely talked about as few people recognize its occurrence.