August 20
2014
The 2014 Hiroshima Landslides
On August 20, 2014, Hiroshima was struck by a devastating series of landslides that claimed 74 lives, destroyed homes, and left the city grappling with the aftermath. The landslides were triggered by unprecedented rainfall, causing saturated soil to give way, burying entire neighborhoods in the Asaminami and Asakita wards. The disaster highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness and led to significant policy changes in Japan. Read more
2008
Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing
On the evening of August 20, 2008, a vehicle-borne explosive detonated at the forecourt of the five‑star Islamabad Marriott Hotel, ripping open the hotel’s entrance, igniting fires in the atrium and lower floors, killing 54 people and injuring about 266. The attack exposed vulnerabilities in the capital’s soft targets, prompted a large criminal and forensic investigation, and led to lasting changes in hotel and urban security across Pakistan. Read more
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