Disasters – Page 2 – Headline Smart

13 Dead After Tourist Plane Crashes

Eleven European visitors and two Peruvian crew members died after the sightseeing aircraft reported an emergency and lost radio contact. NAZCA, Peru — A small plane carrying European tourists on a sightseeing flight near Peru’s Nazca Lines crashed Saturday, killing all 13 people aboard, government authorities said. The Cessna Caravan C-208 was operated by Aerodiana, a Peruvian company that offers flights over the ancient desert figures. Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications said the aircraft …

Massive Earthquake Traps Dozens Inside Collapsed Mall

About 20 to 30 mall employees remained unaccounted for as rescue crews searched damaged buildings across Kumamoto Prefecture. TOKYO — A powerful earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, partially collapsing a large shopping mall, trapping people inside and causing fires, blackouts and severe transportation disruptions across Kumamoto Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.1 after it struck at 4:27 p.m. July 28. The U.S. Geological Survey later revised …

250,000 Forced From Homes as Wildfire Crisis Deepens

Fast-moving flames threatened communities near Bordeaux and Madrid as military personnel and aircraft joined an expanding international response. BORDEAUX, France — More than 250,000 people were ordered from homes, vacation sites and other threatened areas in France and Spain as wind-driven wildfires advanced toward major population centers, covered communities in smoke and strained emergency crews during intense summer heat. The largest evacuation effort was underway in southwestern France, where officials said about 250,000 people had …

Fire Captain, Wife and Three Sons Found Dead After Family Outing

Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long, his wife and their three sons died during a family outing near Sunglow Campground. BICKNELL, Utah — A Provo fire captain, his wife and their three sons were killed when heavy rain triggered a flash flood during a family outing in a southern Utah canyon, leaving the couple’s daughter as the sole surviving member of their immediate family. Authorities identified the family as Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina Long, and …

3 Children Among 9 Dead in Massive Factory Explosion

Three children were among those killed as authorities investigated an operation that allegedly continued after its manufacturing license was revoked. AHMEDABAD, India — At least nine people, including three children, were killed when a powerful explosion and fire tore through an alleged illegal fireworks factory in western India, authorities and local news organizations reported. The explosion occurred at about 3 p.m. Saturday in the Ramol area on the eastern outskirts of Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city. …

Woman Killed During Storm

The 37-year-old encountered the live wire near Craig Avenue as severe weather moved through southeast Charlotte. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 37-year-old woman died after coming into contact with a downed power line during a severe storm in southeast Charlotte, according to officials and local news reports. The electrocution was reported at about 7:30 p.m. July 7 near Craig Avenue and Sharon Amity Road. Strong storms had moved through the area and knocked down an electrical …

Ten Killed as Holiday Flight Ends in Disaster

The victims included musicians and a DJ traveling from Nassau to North Andros during the country’s Independence Day celebrations. NASSAU, Bahamas — Ten people died when a small Flamingo Air plane encountered trouble and crashed near an airport on North Andros, prompting Bahamian officials to suspend the airline’s operating certificate while investigators examine the cause. The Cessna 402 was carrying nine passengers and a pilot from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau to San Andros …

Girl, 8, Struck Dead While Running Inside From Storm

Kinslee Tschida was leaving a swing when lightning struck near her Serena home as a storm approached. SERENA, Ill. — An 8-year-old girl died after being struck by lightning while leaving a backyard swing as her family moved indoors ahead of an approaching storm, according to relatives and the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office. Kinslee Tschida was playing outside with her cousins July 3 when family members heard thunder and told the children to come inside. …

173 Empty Bottles Found After 16-Year-Old Girl’s Tragic Death, Mother Charged

Prosecutors said detectives found 173 empty alcohol bottles hidden in the 16-year-old girl’s bedroom. GOLDEN, Colo. — A Colorado woman has been charged with second-degree murder after prosecutors said her 16-year-old daughter died in March from pneumonia tied to chronic alcohol use inside their Arvada home. Gretchen Leanne Ryan, 55, is accused of knowingly causing the death of her daughter, identified in public reports as Grace Elizabeth Ryan. The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office said …

920 Dead and Counting: Deadliest Quake Leaves Cities in Ruins

Thousands remained unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck near Caracas. CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s earthquake death toll rose to at least 920 on Friday as rescue crews searched collapsed buildings nearly two days after two powerful quakes struck the country’s north coast and shook the capital region. The updated toll marked a sharp rise from earlier counts near 600. Officials said thousands of people remained missing or unaccounted for, with online registries listing tens …