August 14
2021
The 2021 Haiti Earthquake
On August 14, 2021, Haiti was rocked by a powerful earthquake that unleashed destruction across the nation. This narrative explores the seismic event's impact, the resilience of the Haitian people, and the global response to a disaster that left a lasting mark on the country. Read more
2005
The Helios Airways Flight 522 Crash
On a warm summer morning in August 2005, Helios Airways Flight 522 took off from Larnaca, Cyprus, destined for Prague, with a planned stopover in Athens. What began as a routine flight quickly turned into a baffling tragedy that stunned the world. As the Boeing 737 soared silently across the sky, a series of missteps and misunderstandings unfolded, ultimately leading to a catastrophic crash near Grammatiko, Greece. This story unravels the mystery of Flight 522, exploring the events leading to the disaster and the lessons learned in its aftermath. Read more
2003
The 2003 North America Blackout
A widespread power outage affecting 50 million people across the Northeast and Midwest United States and Ontario, Canada, starting on August 14, 2003, due to failures in transmission lines and monitoring systems. Read more
Stay in the Loop!
Become a Calamity Insider and get exclusive Calamity Calendar updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Thanks! You're now subscribed.
Explore more events in August
Aug 3
The El Paso Walmart Mass Shooting
On August 3, 2019, the city of El Paso, Texas, faced one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history when a gunman targeted a Walmart Supercenter. The attack, driven by racist and anti-immigrant motives, resulted in 23 deaths and left the community grappling with profound loss and trauma. This story delves into the harrowing events of that day, the socio-political backdrop, and the ongoing repercussions.
Read more
Aug 30
2013 Mahabubnagar bus accident
On August 30, 2013, a private passenger bus carrying a large group of travellers plunged down an embankment on a highway in Mahabubnagar district, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana). The vehicle's fall killed dozens and injured many more, touching off a frantic local rescue, an official inquiry into causes such as suspected brake failure or driver error, and renewed public debate about road safety for long‑distance buses in rural India.
Read more
Aug 8
The 2010 Gansu Mudslide
This article recounts the events of the devastating 2010 Zhouqu County Mudslide in Gansu Province, China, detailing the environmental and human factors that led to the disaster, the tragic toll it took on the community, and the response efforts that followed.
Read more