Over the decades, humans have evolved exponentially. From consistent progress in technology to rapid urbanization, there have been significant advancements on Earth. However, at what cost?
Resource extraction has eventually led to the festering of numerous human-made disasters around us, ones that have destroyed lives, infrastructure, and the habitability of places. These catastrophes leave indelible marks on history, claiming countless lives, devastating ecosystems, and forever altering the landscapes and communities they impact.
If you are curious about some of the worst human-made disasters of all time, we will explore all the details you need to know.
1. Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster – Pripyat, Ukraine (1986)
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, then part of the Soviet Union, suffered a catastrophic explosion on April 26, 1986, during a safety test in Reactor No. 4. The explosion eventually led to the release of an enormous amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, spreading over Europe and contaminating large areas around Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. In that moment after the disaster, around 31 people died. However, what was worse was the long-term effects, including health effects like cancer and radiation sickness, which have affected hundreds of thousands of people to date, claiming a range between 4,000 and 90,000.
Protect your home from harmful gases with our detailed guide on basement radon mitigation systems.
2. Bhopal Gas Tragedy – Bhopal, India (1984)
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is one of India’s most catastrophic human-made disasters, which occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. The disaster happened when a chemical reaction triggered by water entering a storage tank released over 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas into the air. The gas eventually dispersed to the nearby densely populated neighborhoods, claiming the lives of 3000 people initially within days. In the years after the tragedy, around 15,000 to 25,000 people died in the following years due to exposure-related illness. More than 500,000 people suffered from respiratory problems, eye irritation, and birth defects, too.
3. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster – Fukushima, Japan (2011)
Right after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a devastating tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan had a massive failure. Three of its six reactors suffered meltdowns, releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere and the Pacific Ocean. It is said that only one person died due to the direct failure of the reactors, but over 2,000 indirect deaths happened due to radiation exposure. Due to the radiation exposure, over 100,000 people in the vicinity were evacuated. One of the main reasons behind the destruction was due to vulnerabilities in nuclear facilities located in seismic zones, which raised a lot of questions against the government at the time.
4. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill – Gulf of Mexico, USA (2010)
Operated by BP, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, claiming the lives of 11 workers and led to the largest marine oil spill in history. Following 87 days after the initial disaster, an estimated 210 million gallons of crude oil spewed into the ocean, devastating marine ecosystems, coastal economies, and local communities. The oil spill reportedly affected over 1,300 miles of coastline and killed countless marine species, which was one of the worst impacts from the disaster. Furthermore, BP paid more than $60 billion in fines, settlements, and cleanup costs, making it one of the worst environmental disasters in American history.
5. Rana Plaza Collapse – Savar, Bangladesh (2013)
The Rana Plaza building in Savar, near Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed on April 24, 2013, due to a structural failure. Inside the building, there were numerous garment factories, shops, and a bank. It is categorized as one of the worst human-made disasters because the cracks and weakening of the structure appeared the day before, but the workers were still forced to return to work the next day. When the building collapsed, over 1,130 people died and more than 2,500 were injured, making it the deadliest garment factory disaster in history. The majority of the victims were garment workers for Western brands. This event also led to the establishment of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.
6. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill – Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA (1989)
Another significant oil spill destruction in the U.S was the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, which happened when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef in Prince William, releasing about 11 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean. The spill contaminated over 1,300 miles of coastline, killing hundreds of thousands of seabirds, fish, and marine mammals. What further worsened its impacts on the coastal areas was the slow cleanup, which led to severe ecological consequences. Public outrage led to the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which improved spill prevention and response measures for the future and prevented a repeat of such disasters.
Discover the most catastrophic events in history in our roundup of the worst natural disasters by death toll.
7. Love Canal Toxic Waste Dump – Niagara Falls, New York, USA (1970s)
In the 1970s, the residents of Love Canal, a neighborhood around Niagara Falls, discovered that their homes and school were built on top of a toxic chemical waste dump. Before the establishment of the community, the land was used by Hooker Chemical Company who disposed of more than 21,000 tons of hazardous waste during the 1940s and 1950s. Due to this issue, the chemical from the underground began leaching into people’s homes, leading to increased rates of cancer, birth defects, chronic ailments, etc. Furthermore, over 800 families were evacuated, which sparked the Superfund program’s creation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980.
8. Minamata Disease – Minamata, Japan (1950s)
Although relatively less talked about, people in Minamata, Japan, started experiencing severe neurological disorders. Initially, it was difficult to understand why, but it was later discovered that the Chisso Corporation had been dumping methylmercury into the bay for decades, contaminating the fish that locals depended on for food. The lack of knowledge of the disaster affected thousands of people who suffered from symptoms like numbness and muscle weakness, to vision loss, paralysis, and death. Records suggest that around 1700 people died and thousands more people suffered from lifelong disabilities.
9. London’s Great Smog – London, England (1952)
Out of nowhere in 1952, a thick, deadly smog blanketed London, caused by a combination of cold weather, windless conditions, and the excessive burning of coal. However, the disaster didn’t stop there. The culmination of all of these components led to the formation of sulfur dioxide, smoke particles, and other pollutants, which claimed the lives of an estimated 12,000 people and caused respiratory issues in over 100,000 people. The disaster highlighted the dire effects of air pollution, leading to the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1956 in the UK.
10. The Great Boston Molasses Flood – Boston, USA (1919)
The Great Boston Molasses Flood occurred on January 15, 1919, when a massive storage tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses burst in Boston’s North End. This, in turn, led to the release of fast-moving molasses that rushed through the streets at 35 mph. The flood that occurred due to this disaster claimed the lives of 21 people, and around 150 people were injured. Not just that, it also led to the destruction of buildings, impacting the lives of horses, and many residents were trapped underneath the mess it created. The disaster was caused by poor tank construction and neglect, with leaks ignored and safety warnings unheeded, explaining why it is still one of the most destructive human-made disasters.
11. Seveso Dioxin Disaster – Seveso, Italy (1976)
In a chemical plant near Seveso, Italy, on July 10, 1976, there was a sudden release of toxic dioxin (TCDD) into the atmosphere due to an uncontrolled chemical reaction. The accident exposed around 37,000 residents nearby to the poisonous fumes, resulting in immediate evacuations, animal deaths, and severe health problems in the people. There were no immediate human deaths reported, but the impact of the toxins led to organ damage and chronic illness in many people, claiming people’s lives prematurely. The disaster prompted the European Union to adopt the Seveso Directive, which mandates stringent safety protocols for industrial sites handling hazardous substances.
12. Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident – Pennsylvania, USA (1979)
In Pennsylvania, the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant experienced a partial meltdown in Reactor No. 2 on March 28, 1979. This reportedly happened due to manual failure and human error. The containment structure prevented a catastrophe, but the incident still sparked fear and chaos among the people. No direct deaths were recorded, but the psychological and political impact was profound. The event led to sweeping changes in nuclear regulatory policies, including improved reactor design, operator training, and emergency preparedness. Not only did the event slow down the nuclear power industry in the U.S, but it also showcased how even minute technical failures could result in something devastating.
Explore the devastating impact of major storms in our breakdown of the worst hurricanes in U.S. city history.
Final Words
Human-made disasters might be limited in the world, but each one deserves to be highlighted and discussed to prevent them from happening. Most of these disasters happened due to negligence, corporate irresponsibility, and regulatory failure. Whether they were industrial accidents or nuclear power failures, each one of them has impacted human life, infrastructure, and also changed the course of environmental and safety standards worldwide.
