March 26
2024
Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse (Baltimore)
In the early hours of March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was struck by the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Dali after the vessel lost power. The resulting collision caused a catastrophic collapse, plunging vehicles and construction workers into the Patapsco River, halting port operations, and triggering a widespread investigation and massive recovery effort. Read more
2021
2021 Sohag Train Collision
On March 26, 2021, two passenger trains collided near Al-Sawam’a village in Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The crash, triggered by an unauthorized emergency brake activation, resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 185 injuries. The tragedy exposed longstanding issues in Egypt’s railway system, including inadequate safety protocols, staff negligence, and outdated infrastructure, igniting national calls for reform and accountability. Read more
1997
Heaven's Gate Mass Suicides
In late March 1997, thirty-nine members of the religious group Heaven’s Gate died by mass suicide in a rented mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Led by Marshall Applewhite, the group believed that they would ascend to an extraterrestrial spacecraft trailing the Hale-Bopp comet, escaping Earth’s impending destruction. Their deaths shocked the nation and prompted renewed scrutiny of cults, charismatic leadership, and psychological vulnerability. Read more
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