10 Unbelievable Events People Somehow Survived
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
Prepare to be amazed by incredible stories of survival against all odds! From plane crashes and natural disasters to volcanic eruptions and historic space missions, these incredible events showcase the remarkable resilience of human beings in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances. Our countdown includes miraculous survival stories like the Delta Flight crash landing, the Boscastle Flood, the US Airways Flight 1549 "Miracle on the Hudson", and the legendary Apollo 13 rescue mission! Which shocked you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
10 Unbelievable Events People Somehow Survived
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at disasters and accidents that, against all the odds, resulted in virtually no direct human fatalities.
Delta Connection Flight 4819 (2025)
They say it’s statistically safer to fly than drive, although 2025 has seemingly provided a counterargument. In barely a month, North America saw multiple U.S. aviation accidents. Among them was a Delta flight from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Bombardier CRJ900LR crash landed on February 17, breaking into fragments. A bulk of the smoking plane was left upside down on the snowy runway with the passengers aboard litterally hanging on for dear life. As deadly as the crash looked from the outside, all 80 occupants - including four crew members - survived. More than 20 were injured, but compared to some of the accidents that occurred over the previous weeks, this was the best outcome possible for such a chaotic crash.
The Boscastle Flood (2004)
For the coastal English villages of Boscastle and Crackington Haven, August 16, 2004 is a day that still lives in infamy. Both villages endured eight hours of heavy rain, resulting in massive flash floods. Within two hours, these areas saw more than 60 millimeters of rainfall (about how much one would usually see in a month). Survivors still have vivid memories of people being trapped on rooftops, cars being washed away, and entire structures being destroyed, amounting to an estimated £15 million in damages. Some can even smell and hear the storm decades later. Although animals were reportedly trapped in sinking cars, no humans lost their lives during the floods. This was one silver lining in an event with lasting consequences.
Rome, New York Tornado (2024)
People usually welcome a little wind during the middle of July. This wasn’t the case in 2024 when New York and New Hampshire saw fourteen reported tornadoes. The worst occurred in the Oneida County city of Rome. Commencing its rampage around the Erie Canal, the EF2 tornado raged through Rome to Griffiss Air Force Base. The storm was strong enough to move a B-52 bomber plane with winds nearly reaching 80 mph. Over 350 homes and several other structures, including two historic churches, faced significant damage. Despite the trail of destruction left behind, the citizens of Rome managed to ride out the storm with no casualties. Cleaning up the mess wouldn’t be easy, but Rome wasn’t built (or rebuilt) in a day.
The Rim Fire (2013)
California is no stranger to wildfires. The Rim Fire of August 2013 is one still burned in many memories. This disaster stemmed from a hunter who illegally made a campfire in Stanislaus National Forest. The ensuing wildfire wouldn’t be limited to this forest with the damage extending to Yosemite National Park, also part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Covering more than 257,000 arches, the Rime Fire also destroyed 112 structures. Around $127 million went toward containing the fire, which lasted eight days. Although thankfully no people died, ten were injured in what was then the third-largest wildfire in the state’s history. Today, it’s not even among California’s ten largest wildfires, showing how this issue has continued to grow in just over a decade.
Andreanof Islands Earthquake (1957)
The Andreanof Islands are part of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. In March 1957, this island group marked the site of an 8.6 magnitude earthquake. This was just the beginning, as the earthquake triggered a tsunami that not only impacted Alaska, but also Hawaii where damage was reportedly even worse. Destroying almost 80 houses, Hawaii took a hit estimated to cost the state over $5 million (which would be about ten times more when adjusted for inflation). The earthquake that started it all remains one of the largest on record, but it wasn’t among the deadliest. While a pilot and photographer indirectly died trying to capture the destruction, neither the earthquake nor the tsunami claimed any lives.
Air France Flight 358 (2005)
On August 2, 2005, 297 passengers and 12 crew members boarded a plane departing Paris, France. The flight reached its destination of Ontario, Canada, but due to harsh weather conditions, the plane overshot the runway by roughly 300 m. Eventually hitting Etobicoke Creek, the aircraft caught fire with most of the plane’s main body section burning to a crisp. Judging from the aftermath, one might assume nobody could’ve walked away alive. In what many outlets described as a “miracle,” there were zero fatalities. That’s not to say there weren’t injuries, some more serious than others. Thanks to the efforts of the trained crew and good fortune, though, this story has a happier ending than anyone could’ve anticipated.
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident (2011)
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami didn’t just lead to unspeakable damage and thousands of deaths. This natural disaster caused the Fukushima nuclear accident, one of the worst incidents of its kind since Chernobyl. With the threat of radiation exposure, over 150,000 were evacuated. Clean-up efforts amounted to around 20 trillion yen with numerous residents in the area choosing never to return. Despite the scale and lasting effects of this disaster, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi claims, “No one died from radiation at Fukushima.” Some called this into question with several survivors reportedly getting cancer. One died from lung cancer, although it’s unclear if this was radiation-related. With no deaths officially connected to the incident, Fukushima didn’t quite reach Chernobyl levels of notoriety.
Mauna Loa Eruption (2022)
Mauna Loa isn’t just the largest active volcano in Hawaii. It’s the largest on Earth. As such, this is the last volcano you want to see erupt. After 38 years without an incident, Mauna Loa inevitably blew its top on November 27, 2022. The eruption lasted about two weeks, finally ending on December 13. With officials warning that lava could extend to public areas, many feared the worst. While the lava flowed roughly 16 miles from the summit, it didn’t put any people in harm’s way. Public infrastructure damage reached approximately $1.5 million, although this was minimal compared to what costs could’ve been. With no deaths, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno called this “probably the best situation that we could ask for.”
US Airways Flight 1549 (2009)
Few individuals have a better reputation for sticking the landing than Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. US Airways Flight 1549 could’ve had a much deadlier outcome without Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles at the helm. Departing from LaGuardia Airport, the Airbus A320 never arrived at its intended destinations. It didn’t even depart from New York due to a flock of Canada geese. The collision left the engines out of commission, requiring an emergency landing. With their options limited, the pilots were forced to park the crashing aircraft on the Hudson River. Nearly half of the people onboard would be hospitalized, five being seriously injured. Yet, all 155 individuals were rescued alive with New York State Governor David Paterson dubbing this “a Miracle on the Hudson.”
The Apollo 13 Rescue Mission (1970)
By the end of the 1960s, the Apollo program had already landed on the Moon twice. As such, Apollo 13 likely wouldn’t have been met with much fanfare were it a successful mission. Its place in the history books would be forever changed when an oxygen tank exploded in the service module. Aborting the mission, crew members James Lovell, John Swigert, and Fred Haise set a course for home with assistance from Houston. Oxygen was limited, as was power and essential resources. Even if the three astronauts made it back to Earth’s orbit, there was still the matter of pulling off re-entry. With millions watching, the crew made a splashdown in the South Pacific, capping off what Lovell described as a “successful failure.”
Do you have any other unbelievable survival stories? Let us know in the comments.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at disasters and accidents that, against all the odds, resulted in virtually no direct human fatalities.
Delta Connection Flight 4819 (2025)
They say it’s statistically safer to fly than drive, although 2025 has seemingly provided a counterargument. In barely a month, North America saw multiple U.S. aviation accidents. Among them was a Delta flight from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Bombardier CRJ900LR crash landed on February 17, breaking into fragments. A bulk of the smoking plane was left upside down on the snowy runway with the passengers aboard litterally hanging on for dear life. As deadly as the crash looked from the outside, all 80 occupants - including four crew members - survived. More than 20 were injured, but compared to some of the accidents that occurred over the previous weeks, this was the best outcome possible for such a chaotic crash.
The Boscastle Flood (2004)
For the coastal English villages of Boscastle and Crackington Haven, August 16, 2004 is a day that still lives in infamy. Both villages endured eight hours of heavy rain, resulting in massive flash floods. Within two hours, these areas saw more than 60 millimeters of rainfall (about how much one would usually see in a month). Survivors still have vivid memories of people being trapped on rooftops, cars being washed away, and entire structures being destroyed, amounting to an estimated £15 million in damages. Some can even smell and hear the storm decades later. Although animals were reportedly trapped in sinking cars, no humans lost their lives during the floods. This was one silver lining in an event with lasting consequences.
Rome, New York Tornado (2024)
People usually welcome a little wind during the middle of July. This wasn’t the case in 2024 when New York and New Hampshire saw fourteen reported tornadoes. The worst occurred in the Oneida County city of Rome. Commencing its rampage around the Erie Canal, the EF2 tornado raged through Rome to Griffiss Air Force Base. The storm was strong enough to move a B-52 bomber plane with winds nearly reaching 80 mph. Over 350 homes and several other structures, including two historic churches, faced significant damage. Despite the trail of destruction left behind, the citizens of Rome managed to ride out the storm with no casualties. Cleaning up the mess wouldn’t be easy, but Rome wasn’t built (or rebuilt) in a day.
The Rim Fire (2013)
California is no stranger to wildfires. The Rim Fire of August 2013 is one still burned in many memories. This disaster stemmed from a hunter who illegally made a campfire in Stanislaus National Forest. The ensuing wildfire wouldn’t be limited to this forest with the damage extending to Yosemite National Park, also part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Covering more than 257,000 arches, the Rime Fire also destroyed 112 structures. Around $127 million went toward containing the fire, which lasted eight days. Although thankfully no people died, ten were injured in what was then the third-largest wildfire in the state’s history. Today, it’s not even among California’s ten largest wildfires, showing how this issue has continued to grow in just over a decade.
Andreanof Islands Earthquake (1957)
The Andreanof Islands are part of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. In March 1957, this island group marked the site of an 8.6 magnitude earthquake. This was just the beginning, as the earthquake triggered a tsunami that not only impacted Alaska, but also Hawaii where damage was reportedly even worse. Destroying almost 80 houses, Hawaii took a hit estimated to cost the state over $5 million (which would be about ten times more when adjusted for inflation). The earthquake that started it all remains one of the largest on record, but it wasn’t among the deadliest. While a pilot and photographer indirectly died trying to capture the destruction, neither the earthquake nor the tsunami claimed any lives.
Air France Flight 358 (2005)
On August 2, 2005, 297 passengers and 12 crew members boarded a plane departing Paris, France. The flight reached its destination of Ontario, Canada, but due to harsh weather conditions, the plane overshot the runway by roughly 300 m. Eventually hitting Etobicoke Creek, the aircraft caught fire with most of the plane’s main body section burning to a crisp. Judging from the aftermath, one might assume nobody could’ve walked away alive. In what many outlets described as a “miracle,” there were zero fatalities. That’s not to say there weren’t injuries, some more serious than others. Thanks to the efforts of the trained crew and good fortune, though, this story has a happier ending than anyone could’ve anticipated.
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident (2011)
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami didn’t just lead to unspeakable damage and thousands of deaths. This natural disaster caused the Fukushima nuclear accident, one of the worst incidents of its kind since Chernobyl. With the threat of radiation exposure, over 150,000 were evacuated. Clean-up efforts amounted to around 20 trillion yen with numerous residents in the area choosing never to return. Despite the scale and lasting effects of this disaster, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi claims, “No one died from radiation at Fukushima.” Some called this into question with several survivors reportedly getting cancer. One died from lung cancer, although it’s unclear if this was radiation-related. With no deaths officially connected to the incident, Fukushima didn’t quite reach Chernobyl levels of notoriety.
Mauna Loa Eruption (2022)
Mauna Loa isn’t just the largest active volcano in Hawaii. It’s the largest on Earth. As such, this is the last volcano you want to see erupt. After 38 years without an incident, Mauna Loa inevitably blew its top on November 27, 2022. The eruption lasted about two weeks, finally ending on December 13. With officials warning that lava could extend to public areas, many feared the worst. While the lava flowed roughly 16 miles from the summit, it didn’t put any people in harm’s way. Public infrastructure damage reached approximately $1.5 million, although this was minimal compared to what costs could’ve been. With no deaths, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno called this “probably the best situation that we could ask for.”
US Airways Flight 1549 (2009)
Few individuals have a better reputation for sticking the landing than Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. US Airways Flight 1549 could’ve had a much deadlier outcome without Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles at the helm. Departing from LaGuardia Airport, the Airbus A320 never arrived at its intended destinations. It didn’t even depart from New York due to a flock of Canada geese. The collision left the engines out of commission, requiring an emergency landing. With their options limited, the pilots were forced to park the crashing aircraft on the Hudson River. Nearly half of the people onboard would be hospitalized, five being seriously injured. Yet, all 155 individuals were rescued alive with New York State Governor David Paterson dubbing this “a Miracle on the Hudson.”
The Apollo 13 Rescue Mission (1970)
By the end of the 1960s, the Apollo program had already landed on the Moon twice. As such, Apollo 13 likely wouldn’t have been met with much fanfare were it a successful mission. Its place in the history books would be forever changed when an oxygen tank exploded in the service module. Aborting the mission, crew members James Lovell, John Swigert, and Fred Haise set a course for home with assistance from Houston. Oxygen was limited, as was power and essential resources. Even if the three astronauts made it back to Earth’s orbit, there was still the matter of pulling off re-entry. With millions watching, the crew made a splashdown in the South Pacific, capping off what Lovell described as a “successful failure.”
Do you have any other unbelievable survival stories? Let us know in the comments.
Sign in
to access this feature