Historical Events tagged with "search and rescue"

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.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Discovery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Debris

July 29th, 2015 9 years ago

On Réunion Island, a piece of debris was found that was suspected to be from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared in 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The piece was identified as a flaperon, and its discovery sparked renewed interest and investigations into one of aviation's greatest mysteries. The find was made by a local resident on the beach, leading to extensive forensic analysis and discussions about the potential locations of the rest of the aircraft.

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Natural Disasters

Landslides Claim Lives in Hiroshima Prefecture

August 20th, 2014 10 years ago

A series of landslides in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, resulted in the tragic death of seventy-two people. These landslides were triggered by an unprecedented amount of rainfall; nearly a month's worth of rain fell in just one day, leading to severe mudslides and destruction. The affected areas experienced significant damage, with homes destroyed and many residents displaced. Recovery efforts were hampered by the unstable conditions. Local authorities mobilized emergency services and rescue teams to search for survivors and assist those in need.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen Ferry

February 2nd, 2012 13 years ago

The MV Rabaul Queen, a passenger ferry, sank near the Finschhafen District in Papua New Guinea. An estimated 146 to 165 people drowned as a result of the incident, leading to extensive search and rescue operations. The ferry was reportedly caught in rough seas while traversing the waters from Rabaul to Lae. Efforts by local authorities and survivors to locate missing individuals were hampered by the challenging maritime conditions. This tragedy highlighted the safety standards of passenger ferries in the region.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Tugboat Thomas Hebert Sinks Off New Jersey Coast

March 7th, 1993 32 years ago

The tugboat Thomas Hebert sank while operating off the coast of New Jersey due to rough weather conditions. The incident involved several crew members who were aboard the vessel at the time. Search and rescue operations commenced immediately, and all but one crew member were rescued safely. The sinking raised questions regarding the safety measures for tugboats in adverse maritime conditions.

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Military & Warfare

Flight 19 Disappearance in Bermuda Triangle

December 5th, 1945 79 years ago

Flight 19 was a training flight involving five TBM Avenger torpedo bombers that disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. This incident is particularly notable due to the loss of contact with the planes during a routine navigation exercise over the Atlantic Ocean. The flight was led by Lieutenant Charles C. Taylor, who reported erratic compass readings before the entire squadron vanished without a trace. A rescue mission was launched, but the search efforts yielded no results, and the planes were never found.

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Politics & Government

Creation of the United States Coast Guard

January 28th, 1915 110 years ago

The United States Coast Guard was established as a branch of the United States Armed Forces through an act of Congress. This development marked a significant evolution of maritime safety and security in the U.S., providing enhanced capabilities for search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection on the nation's waters. The new service was formed from the merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the Lifesaving Service, consolidating responsibilities and improving efficiency in maritime operations.

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