Over the years, there have been several catastrophes that have claimed many lives. Some have gone down in history as the worst disasters ever experienced. While some have been natural, others have been the result of negligent decisions. People involved are trusted with the responsibility to make the right decisions but they fail in that department. Here are five horrible disasters where negligence played a major role.

1. Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse

To ensure public safety, there are rigorous engineering standards in the United States that must be adhered to so that buildings are properly constructed. On July 17, 1981, engineering negligence resulted in the collapse of the walkway at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City. One hundred and fourteen people lost their lives and many more sustained injuries.  The tie rod installations supporting the walkway were in violation of city building codes. The fourth story was left dangling beneath the second level due to the insufficient support provided by the rods. The engineering firm in charge was held liable for carelessness.

2. Sinking of Herald of Free Enterprise

On March 6, 1987, the British ferry Herald of Free Enterprise sank and claimed the lives of 193 people who were onboard. This catastrophe was a result of carelessness and penny pinching. To speed up service time there were rushed departures and departure doors were closed after departures. Mark Stanley, the assistant boatswain, was sleeping in his cabin and did not close the ferry’s doors. The other crew assumed that he had gotten it done. In addition, the company that operated the ferry didn’t purchase the device that would indicate if the doors were closed. This device only cost £5. 

3. Chernobyl

The devastating explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union in April 1986 has gone down in history as a world-changing disaster and the impact is still being felt today. This event was the result of poor engineering and operational negligence. The reactor’s subpar construction made Chernobyl vulnerable to unstable operation and potential meltdowns. In addition to this vulnerability, there was violation of rules which caused the reactor to overheat. The reactor core was exposed by the devastating explosion that ensued. There were numerous casualties from the explosion and the radiation exposure.

4. Air France Air Show Crash

It was decided that on June 26, 1988, Air France Flight 296 would participate in the Habsheim airshow while filled with passengers. It’s no surprise that it turned out to be a terrible idea. The airline crashed into the woods while attempting a risky maneuver. The aircraft was dangerously demonstrating the Airbus A320’s fly-by-wire safety features and control systems which was risky when flying at a low altitude. The pilots weren’t familiar with a map of the forest. It was negligent to be in the air show, and there was a lack of testing safety measures and preparation.

5. The Halifax Explosion

A munitions ship exploded in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on December 6, 1917. The Norwegian ship SS Imo collided with the French ship SS Mont Blanc, which was carrying a highly explosive cargo of TNT, picric acid, gun cotton, and benzoyl. There were about 2,000 fatalities and 9,000 injuries as a result. The Norwegian ship was carelessly hurrying to leave with military supplies even though the French vessel had the right of way. Despite the French vessel’s risky cargo, there was no protocol mandating safety precautions. The explosion is the worst in Canadian history and the worst explosion ever to occur before the invention of nuclear weapons.