Historical Events tagged with "cameroon"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

Attack on Village in Northwest Cameroon

February 14th, 2020 5 years ago

An armed attack resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people in the village of Nkwen in Northwest Cameroon. The attack was linked to the ongoing conflict between separatist groups and government forces. Witnesses reported that armed men entered the village during the night, firing indiscriminately at residents. The violence highlighted the escalating tensions in the region amid attempts by separatists to create an independent state for the English-speaking population. The Nigerian and Anglophone crisis has caused significant displacement and human suffering.

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Military & Warfare

143 Boko Haram Fighters Killed in Cameroon Raids

January 12th, 2015 10 years ago

Cameroonian forces engaged in military operations in Kolofata, targeting Boko Haram militants known for their violent insurgency. The assault resulted in the death of 143 insurgents and marked a significant counter-terrorism success for the Cameroonian government. This operation aimed to quell the rising threat of Boko Haram, which had conducted numerous attacks in the region, affecting both Cameroon and its neighboring countries. The raids demonstrated a concerted effort by the Cameroonian military to dismantle the influence of Boko Haram in the Far North region.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Kenya Airways Flight 507 Crashes in Cameroon

May 5th, 2007 17 years ago

Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashed shortly after taking off from Douala International Airport in Cameroon, killing all 114 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft, an Airbus A310-304, went down in a marshy area near the airport under unknown circumstances. The accident marked a significant tragedy in aviation history for Cameroon, leading to a reevaluation of safety protocols in the region.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Oil Spill Catastrophe in Yaoundé

February 14th, 1998 27 years ago

An oil tanker train collided with a freight train in Yaoundé, Cameroon, releasing a significant amount of fuel oil. In the chaos, a person scavenging the spilled oil ignited a massive explosion. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of 120 lives and numerous injuries. Emergency services struggled to manage the aftermath as flames engulfed the area.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 Plane Crash

December 3rd, 1995 29 years ago

Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 crashed on approach to Douala International Airport, resulting in the death of 71 of the 76 individuals on board. The Boeing 737 experienced a catastrophic failure, leading to a loss of control just moments before landing. The flight originated from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and was carrying passengers and crew members. The incident raised significant concerns about safety protocols and airline regulations in Cameroon and across Africa.

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Natural Disasters

Tragic Eruption of Lake Nyos Gas

August 21st, 1986 38 years ago

Carbon dioxide gas erupted from volcanic Lake Nyos in Cameroon, resulting in a sudden and massive release of gas that suffocated nearly 1,800 people in nearby villages. The phenomenon occurred due to the eruption of magma, which disturbed the lake's deep waters and released high concentrations of gas. When the gas cloud surged down the hillsides, it displaced oxygen in the air, causing fatalities within a 20-kilometer range.

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Politics & Government

Failed Coup Attempt Against Paul Biya's Government

April 6th, 1984 40 years ago

Members of Cameroon's Republican Guard made an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow President Paul Biya's regime. The coup was marked by armed clashes in the capital, Yaoundé, as military factions attempted to seize control of key government institutions. Despite initial successes in capturing strategic locations, loyalist forces quickly regrouped and counterattacked, securing Biya's hold on power.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Caledonian Airways DC-7 Crash in Cameroon

March 4th, 1962 63 years ago

A Caledonian Airways Douglas DC-7 crashed shortly after takeoff from Yaoundé, Cameroon, resulting in the loss of 111 lives. The aircraft was on a charter flight with predominantly British tourists traveling to South Africa. Poor weather conditions and the plane's altitude contributed to the tragedy, marking it as one of the deadliest accidents involving a DC-7 aircraft.

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Politics & Government

East and West Cameroon Unite

October 1st, 1961 63 years ago

East and West Cameroon merged to establish the Federal Republic of Cameroon, following a UN-backed plebiscite. This unification was part of the decolonization process in Africa, creating a diverse nation with varied ethnicities and languages. During this period, the leadership of both regions sought to forge a pathway toward unity and development amidst the backdrop of Cold War politics and evolving national identities in newly independent African states.

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