2020 International Major Accident Lessons: Insights and Reflections

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2020 is coming to an end. This year, we have experienced so much: the pandemic, fires, explosions... Their lives were cut short here. These tragedies could perhaps have been avoided, and these disasters must not be forgotten. A belated reflection, lessons learned in blood – let’s look back together. NO.1 Explosion at port in Lebanon’s capital: At least 190 dead, 6,500 injured. Around 6 p.m. on August 4, a massive explosion occurred at the port of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, resulting in at least 190 deaths, over 6,500 injuries, and 3 people missing. The Lebanese prime minister said the explosion was caused by 2,750 tons of phosphoric acid being stored improperly in the port for 6 years. http://p0.itc.cn/images01/20201229/4150e68fe83d481b849fa31039b1960f.jpegNo. 2 Mine collapse in Pagan, Myanmar: 174 deaths, 20 missing. On July 2, a mine collapse occurred in the Pagan area of Kachin State in northern Myanmar; a mine heap over 300 meters high collapsed due to rainfall, and many local people who were collecting ore at the time were buried under the debris. The accident resulted in 174 deaths, 55 injuries, and 20 people missing; it was also the deadliest mining disaster in Myanmar’s history. NO.3 Immigration boat catches fire and sinks: At least 140 deaths On October 29, a United Nations agency said that at least 140 immigrants trying to reach Europe drowned off the coast of Senegal; the illegal boat, which was carrying more than 200 immigrants, caught fire and sank suddenly en route. The media reported that the accident was caused by an engine explosion and fire, which ignited the gasoline tanks on board and led to the destruction of the entire ship. The United Nations issued a statement saying that this was the deadliest shipwreck incident on record in 2020. NO.4 Pakistan plane crash: 97 deaths On May 22, an Airbus A320 belonging to Pakistan International Airlines crashed in a residential area of Karachi, a port city in southern Pakistan. There were a total of 99 passengers and crew members. 97 of them died, and 2 survived. According to media reports, two *employees of the airline revealed anonymously that a malfunction in the landing equipment was to blame for the crash. According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the plane attempted to land two or three times before crashing. NO.5 Building collapse in India: At least 41 deaths. Around 4 a.m. on September 21, a multi-story building collapsed in Thane, in the western state of Maharashtra, India, resulting in at least 41 deaths. According to local officials, approximately 150 residents live in the building. When the accident occurred, the residents were sleeping. It is alleged that the collapsed building was previously identified as an illegal structure. http://p6.itc.cn/images01/20201229/f73b85a487c14262bf816c6b09069f33.png No. 6: Fire breaks out in a warehouse in South Korea: At least 38 people die. On the afternoon of April 29, a fire broke out at a logistics warehouse construction site in Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. A total of 78 people from 9 companies were working there at the time; the fire resulted in 38 deaths and 10 injuries. The police speculate that the accident was caused by welding sparks landing on the polyurethane foam on the warehouse walls, resulting in a fire. The South Korean fire department said that the fire started on the second basement floor of the warehouse; it spread rapidly and thick smoke made it difficult for those inside to escape. NO.7 Nigeria tanker explosion: At least 28 deaths On September 23, a tanker overturned and exploded in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State in central Nigeria, resulting in at least 28 deaths. Preliminary investigations suggest that the tanker lost brake control while on the road, overturned out of control and exploded, affecting nearby vehicles and pedestrians. Styrene leak at LG Chemical Plant No.8: 15 deaths and 5,000 people poisoned On May 7, a styrene gas leak occurred at an LG company plant in India; the plant in question was operated by LG Polymers, which is part of LG Chem, South Korea’s largest petrochemical manufacturer. The accident resulted in 15 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and over 5,000 people experiencing difficulty breathing or other symptoms. It is reported that since the accident occurred at 3 a.m., local residents were awakened from their sleep; as they fled in panic, they inhaled more toxic gas, and many collapsed by the roadsides and fields. Relevant investigations show that the leakage accident was caused by technical defects in gas storage; LG Polymers committed \"serious mistakes,\" and \"poor management\" as well as \"complete failure of emergency procedures\" were also key factors contributing to this incident. http://p5.itc.cn/images01/20201229/7123052e1f834ff3a64435f894661e40.png NO.9 Bus and truck collision in Brazil: At least 41 deaths. Around 7 a.m. on November 25, a serious traffic accident occurred in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, when a bus collided with a truck on an highway; at least 41 people died and 10 others were injured, 9 of whom were in critical condition. The police suspect that the overload of the bus may be the cause. NO.10 Train and bus collision in Pakistan: At least 30 deaths On the evening of February 28, a collision between a train and a bus occurred in the Sukkur area of Sindh province in southern Pakistan, resulting in at least 30 deaths. NO.11 Explosion at Lotte Chemical Plant in South Korea: 31 people injured On the morning of March 4, an explosion occurred at the Damsan plant of Lotte Chemical in Uiseong City, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, injuring 31 people, including 2 who were seriously hurt. Lotte Chemical issued a statement saying that an explosion occurred due to problems in the decomposition process of the lead wire. NO.12 Indian plane crashes off runway: 20 dead, 140 injured At 7:40 p.m. on August 7, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft in India, flying from Dubai to Kozhikode in southern Kerala, lost control and slid off the runway during landing, breaking into two parts; this accident resulted in at least 20 deaths, including those of the pilots, and over 140 injuries. NO.13 Workers sleeping on the tracks: At least 17 killed. On the morning of the 8th local time, a train collision occurred in Aurangabad, Maharashtra state, India, resulting in at least 17 deaths and several injuries. It is understood that a group of workers were sleeping on the tracks at the time of the incident. “These workers were heading home along the railway tracks; they were resting on those tracks at that time. ”A local police officer said. The Indian Railways said on social media that the freight train driver tried to stop the train when he saw workers on the tracks, but ultimately collided with them. http://p2.itc.cn/images01/20201229/3f7fd15f50834c69a38e77ed996ae734.png NO.14 A structure collapsed during demolition in Russia: The last moments of life. On January 31, the Sports and Concert Complex in St. Petersburg, Russia, suddenly collapsed during demolition work, resulting in the death of one worker. NO.15 Apartment collapse in Ukraine: A close call with death. An apartment building in Odessa, Ukraine, collapsed suddenly; two passersby who were walking outside the exclusion zone came close to being swallowed by the thick smoke. NO.16 Shaqah Skyscraper Turns into a Flame Column: Would You Escape in a High-Rise Fire? On the night of May 5, a fire broke out in a 48-story skyscraper in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, injuring at least 7 people. It is understood that the fire may be related to the flammability of the materials used in the exterior walls of the skyscraper. http://p5.itc.cn/images01/20201229/092f9a24026e4b99ab60571ca496da98.png NO.17 A dredger collided with a gas pipeline at around 8 a.m. on August 21. A dredger in Texas, USA, collided with an underwater natural gas pipeline near Port Corpus Christi, resulting in an explosion. The ship caught fire, broke apart and sank, resulting in 2 deaths, 6 injuries, and 2 people missing. House No. 18 was split in half by a crane: Disaster strikes on the afternoon of July 8, the London Police Force reported that a crane collapsed in a residential area and on a construction site. One woman died on the spot and 4 people were injured. One violation, one lapse in attention – behind many accidents that seem to be \"accidental\" are actually human errors. Never take safety lightly; keep prevention in mind at all times. The departed are gone, but the warning bell remains ringing. May every action and decision we take be taken with responsibility toward life. In this new year, let us act with responsibility and a sense of safety! Respect life! This article is reprinted from China Emergency Management News.