August 5
Aug 5
The 2010 Copiapó Chilean mining accident
In August 2010, a catastrophic rockfall at the San José Mine in Chile trapped 33 miners 700 meters underground. The ensuing 69-day ordeal captured the world’s attention, culminating in a dramatic and unprecedented rescue operation. This article chronicles the events leading up to the collapse, the miners’ harrowing time underground, and the remarkable rescue that followed.
Aug 5
The 1949 Ambato Earthquake
On August 5, 1949, a devastating earthquake struck near Pelileo in Ecuador's Tungurahua Province, causing near-total destruction in multiple cities, killing over 5,000 people, and reshaping central Ecuador forever. The disaster exposed the vulnerability of traditional construction and spurred early efforts toward seismic safety.
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