July 8
1988
Peruman railway accident
On the night of July 8, 1988, the Island Express plunged from a low-level bridge over Ashtamudi Lake at Peruman, near Kollam in Kerala. Multiple coaches derailed and fell into the shallow water; 105 people were killed and roughly 200 injured. Local fishermen, villagers, police and railway staff mounted a frantic rescue and recovery that unfolded through the night and into the next day. Read more
1980
Aeroflot Flight 4225 crash (Tupolev Tu‑154B‑2 at Alma‑Ata)
On July 8, 1980, Aeroflot Flight 4225, a Tupolev Tu‑154B‑2, climbed away from Alma‑Ata Airport into convective summer weather and, seconds later, encountered a violent downdraft and wind shear. The airliner lost airspeed and lift, struck the ground a short distance from the runway, broke apart and burned. All 166 people on board were killed. The accident added to growing evidence of the danger posed by microbursts and helped accelerate changes in training, forecasting, and wind‑shear detection worldwide. Read more
1965
Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 crash
On July 8, 1965, Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 broke apart in flight over central British Columbia and crashed near 100 Mile House. Forensic examination of the wreckage led investigators to conclude the airframe had been destroyed by an internal explosive blast — a probable act of sabotage — but no person was ever identified or prosecuted. The disaster killed everyone on board and helped push the aviation industry toward tighter baggage and passenger controls. Read more
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