10 Human-Made Disasters That Made the World Stand Still
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VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Arianna Wechter
From nuclear meltdowns to devastating oil spills, human errors have led to catastrophic events that shocked the world. Join us as we explore the most significant man-made disasters that left lasting impacts on communities, environments, and global consciousness. Our countdown includes the Chernobyl meltdown, BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Bhopal chemical leak, London's Great Smog, and more. These disasters serve as stark reminders of the consequences of negligence and the importance of safety measures in industrial and technological advancements. Which man-mad disaster do you think was the most (or least) surprising? Let us know in the comments.
10 Man-Made Disasters That Made the World Stand Still
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the most devastating disasters caused by human error that shocked people around the world.
Keeping home and business close can sometimes lead to horrific consequences. The village of Aberfan learned this firsthand in 1966. The residential area is located at the bottom of a hill containing several piles of waste accumulated during mining. Although the material is sensitive to water, the National Coal Board knowingly constructed them over the site of a natural spring. That waterway combined with weeks of rain caused it to break loose and careen towards Aberfan. Besides destroying homes, it hit a school– leading to the deaths of five teachers and over 100 students. The NCB was eventually found to be at fault, although none of its board members faced any repercussions. Shockingly, they even attempted to offer victims a mere £50 each.
While some human-caused catastrophes last a few days and are eventually resolved, others have been ongoing for decades– with no end in sight. Up until 1962, Centralia was a normal town in Pennsylvania. That year, officials decided that the best way to clear out a strip mine-turned-landfill was by burning it, a practice that had been outlawed. Nevertheless, they ignored the law and started the fire on May 27th, and it has been burning ever since. It had near-immediate effects, creating sinkholes and high levels of carbon monoxide, leading to severe health problems. By 1992, Centralia had been condemned, and most of its citizens bought out. However, you can still visit today and see the steam rising from the 60-year old blaze.
This is truly the stuff of nightmares. For decades, the Chisso Corporation in Minamata, Japan dumped water treated with heavy metals like mercury and lead into local waterways. Not only did this harm native fish, it also had a direct impact on those eating them– humans included. It wasn’t until a child fell ill in 1956 that people even realized they’d been eating contaminated food. The girl’s symptoms– ranging from difficulty speaking to convulsions– began to appear in others. This neurological disorder– eventually named Minamata disease– afflicted thousands of people, with nearly 2,500 individuals officially diagnosed by 2001. Nearly a decade after the discovery in Minamata, a similar outbreak occurred in Niigata, another Japanese region, due to pollution from an electrical company.
War has caused some truly brutal acts to be committed throughout history, and this is by far one of the most senseless. During the 1991 Gulf War, things escalated to a point no one saw coming. In an attempt to prevent United States troops from invading, Saddam Hussein allegedly ordered a massive, continuous oil spill into the Persian Gulf. It lasted for a week, with thousands of tons being dumped daily. It coated the feathers of marine birds, leading to an estimated 30,000 perishing. A 1993 study claiming the long-term environmental impact would be insignificant has sparked continuous debates since. Considered one of the first real acts of eco-terrorism, this has remained one of the largest leaks in human history.
At one point, their resources made them an epicenter of mining– but that prosperity came with unforeseen consequences. Libby, Montana used to be the source of 80% of the world’s supply of vermiculite, a mineral that’s utilized in heating and insulation. What the citizens weren’t aware of was that it contained asbestos– small fibers that wreak havoc on the lungs. The firm– W. R. Grace and Company– were allegedly aware of this, but still sent workers into the mines daily. As a result, both laborers and the residents were exposed, causing nearly 10% of the population to die. By 2009, the government stepped in to provide over a hundred million in aid and prosecute the company – however, they were acquitted soon afterwards.
While accidents are unintentional by default, not all are defensible. In 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez was transporting oil from Alaska when the unimaginable happened. During the shipping process, only one officer was left on the bridge– a direct violation of company policy. He was unable to change courses and made direct contact with a nearby reef. Nearly six million gallons of oil spilled within the first few hours. The cleanup alone was disastrous, causing employees and volunteers to fall ill. The environmental impact was even greater, with hundreds of thousands of animals dying. Blame was heaped on the Captain of the tanker– who was allegedly intoxicated at the time– and he was eventually convicted of a misdemeanor.
By the 1950s, many cities had fully embraced industrialization, and London was no exception. The cold weather at the time led to an increased amount of coal being burned, with residents relying on a lesser-quality version high in sulfur dioxide. In 1952, an anticyclone and a lack of wind caused the city’s pollutants to be trapped in the air, which severely reduced visibility and triggered intense respiratory issues. The smog remained for four days before a breeze finally rolled through and broke it. Initially, it was reported that around 4,000 people died, but modern estimates put the death toll at approximately 12,000. This disaster was so severe that it prompted the British Parliament to enact the Clean Air Act of 1956.
Some chemicals that were created to be helpful can have devastating effects on our health. In 1984, the citizens of Bhopal learned this firsthand when several avoidable factors like malfunctioning safety equipment and clogged pipes caused one of the worst chemical disasters in history. Union Carbide India Limited, a U.S.-owned factory accidentally leaked highly toxic methyl isocyanate into the air and surrounding neighborhoods. Most residents were asleep at the time, giving them no chance to evacuate. Over 500,000 people were impacted, with nearly a third being children. The death toll skyrocketed, and survivors endured physical, neurological, and emotional scars. Ultimately, the company was held accountable and ordered to pay $470 million to those affected in 1989.
Although it may be the most recent oil spill on this list, it’s by far one of the worst. BP’s tanker, Deepwater Horizon, was supposed to have a mechanism in place to prevent methane gas from getting through the pipes, but those valves failed. This caused the gas to rise into the drilling rig, triggering a massive explosion that killed 11 workers. This was just the beginning. An estimated 210 million gallons of oil then leaked, destroying whole ecosystems in the process. The spill had disastrous effects on local marine life, with some species mutating to have gaping sores and no eyes. In 2011, BP was officially blamed, but despite several criminal charges, none of those involved received any prison time.
When most people think of easily preventable tragedies, this one often comes to mind– and it’s clear to see why. In April 1986, operators at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine attempted an experiment to cool the reactor to test its performance during an emergency. A combination of an accidental power dip and a design flaw within the machine resulted in an unexpected power surge. This caused a giant meltdown, releasing radiation into the air. It took hours and dozens falling ill before an evacuation was called. The environmental impact was immense, with several trees dying, and several animal species losing the ability to reproduce. The clean-up is expected to last until 2065– meaning until then, the effects could become even worse.
Which disaster perpetrated by humans do you think will have the biggest long-term impact? Let us know in the comments below.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the most devastating disasters caused by human error that shocked people around the world.
The Aberfan Disaster
Aberfan, WalesKeeping home and business close can sometimes lead to horrific consequences. The village of Aberfan learned this firsthand in 1966. The residential area is located at the bottom of a hill containing several piles of waste accumulated during mining. Although the material is sensitive to water, the National Coal Board knowingly constructed them over the site of a natural spring. That waterway combined with weeks of rain caused it to break loose and careen towards Aberfan. Besides destroying homes, it hit a school– leading to the deaths of five teachers and over 100 students. The NCB was eventually found to be at fault, although none of its board members faced any repercussions. Shockingly, they even attempted to offer victims a mere £50 each.
Centralia Fire
Centralia, United States of AmericaWhile some human-caused catastrophes last a few days and are eventually resolved, others have been ongoing for decades– with no end in sight. Up until 1962, Centralia was a normal town in Pennsylvania. That year, officials decided that the best way to clear out a strip mine-turned-landfill was by burning it, a practice that had been outlawed. Nevertheless, they ignored the law and started the fire on May 27th, and it has been burning ever since. It had near-immediate effects, creating sinkholes and high levels of carbon monoxide, leading to severe health problems. By 1992, Centralia had been condemned, and most of its citizens bought out. However, you can still visit today and see the steam rising from the 60-year old blaze.
Minamata Disease
Minamata, JapanThis is truly the stuff of nightmares. For decades, the Chisso Corporation in Minamata, Japan dumped water treated with heavy metals like mercury and lead into local waterways. Not only did this harm native fish, it also had a direct impact on those eating them– humans included. It wasn’t until a child fell ill in 1956 that people even realized they’d been eating contaminated food. The girl’s symptoms– ranging from difficulty speaking to convulsions– began to appear in others. This neurological disorder– eventually named Minamata disease– afflicted thousands of people, with nearly 2,500 individuals officially diagnosed by 2001. Nearly a decade after the discovery in Minamata, a similar outbreak occurred in Niigata, another Japanese region, due to pollution from an electrical company.
Gulf War Oil Spill
Persian GulfWar has caused some truly brutal acts to be committed throughout history, and this is by far one of the most senseless. During the 1991 Gulf War, things escalated to a point no one saw coming. In an attempt to prevent United States troops from invading, Saddam Hussein allegedly ordered a massive, continuous oil spill into the Persian Gulf. It lasted for a week, with thousands of tons being dumped daily. It coated the feathers of marine birds, leading to an estimated 30,000 perishing. A 1993 study claiming the long-term environmental impact would be insignificant has sparked continuous debates since. Considered one of the first real acts of eco-terrorism, this has remained one of the largest leaks in human history.
Montana Asbestos Cloud
Libby, United States of AmericaAt one point, their resources made them an epicenter of mining– but that prosperity came with unforeseen consequences. Libby, Montana used to be the source of 80% of the world’s supply of vermiculite, a mineral that’s utilized in heating and insulation. What the citizens weren’t aware of was that it contained asbestos– small fibers that wreak havoc on the lungs. The firm– W. R. Grace and Company– were allegedly aware of this, but still sent workers into the mines daily. As a result, both laborers and the residents were exposed, causing nearly 10% of the population to die. By 2009, the government stepped in to provide over a hundred million in aid and prosecute the company – however, they were acquitted soon afterwards.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Prince William Sound, AlaskaWhile accidents are unintentional by default, not all are defensible. In 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez was transporting oil from Alaska when the unimaginable happened. During the shipping process, only one officer was left on the bridge– a direct violation of company policy. He was unable to change courses and made direct contact with a nearby reef. Nearly six million gallons of oil spilled within the first few hours. The cleanup alone was disastrous, causing employees and volunteers to fall ill. The environmental impact was even greater, with hundreds of thousands of animals dying. Blame was heaped on the Captain of the tanker– who was allegedly intoxicated at the time– and he was eventually convicted of a misdemeanor.
Great Smog of London
London, EnglandBy the 1950s, many cities had fully embraced industrialization, and London was no exception. The cold weather at the time led to an increased amount of coal being burned, with residents relying on a lesser-quality version high in sulfur dioxide. In 1952, an anticyclone and a lack of wind caused the city’s pollutants to be trapped in the air, which severely reduced visibility and triggered intense respiratory issues. The smog remained for four days before a breeze finally rolled through and broke it. Initially, it was reported that around 4,000 people died, but modern estimates put the death toll at approximately 12,000. This disaster was so severe that it prompted the British Parliament to enact the Clean Air Act of 1956.
Bhopal Disaster
Bhopal, IndiaSome chemicals that were created to be helpful can have devastating effects on our health. In 1984, the citizens of Bhopal learned this firsthand when several avoidable factors like malfunctioning safety equipment and clogged pipes caused one of the worst chemical disasters in history. Union Carbide India Limited, a U.S.-owned factory accidentally leaked highly toxic methyl isocyanate into the air and surrounding neighborhoods. Most residents were asleep at the time, giving them no chance to evacuate. Over 500,000 people were impacted, with nearly a third being children. The death toll skyrocketed, and survivors endured physical, neurological, and emotional scars. Ultimately, the company was held accountable and ordered to pay $470 million to those affected in 1989.
BP Deepwater Oil Spill
Gulf of MexicoAlthough it may be the most recent oil spill on this list, it’s by far one of the worst. BP’s tanker, Deepwater Horizon, was supposed to have a mechanism in place to prevent methane gas from getting through the pipes, but those valves failed. This caused the gas to rise into the drilling rig, triggering a massive explosion that killed 11 workers. This was just the beginning. An estimated 210 million gallons of oil then leaked, destroying whole ecosystems in the process. The spill had disastrous effects on local marine life, with some species mutating to have gaping sores and no eyes. In 2011, BP was officially blamed, but despite several criminal charges, none of those involved received any prison time.
Chernobyl Disaster
Pripyat, UkraineWhen most people think of easily preventable tragedies, this one often comes to mind– and it’s clear to see why. In April 1986, operators at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine attempted an experiment to cool the reactor to test its performance during an emergency. A combination of an accidental power dip and a design flaw within the machine resulted in an unexpected power surge. This caused a giant meltdown, releasing radiation into the air. It took hours and dozens falling ill before an evacuation was called. The environmental impact was immense, with several trees dying, and several animal species losing the ability to reproduce. The clean-up is expected to last until 2065– meaning until then, the effects could become even worse.
Which disaster perpetrated by humans do you think will have the biggest long-term impact? Let us know in the comments below.
