As of 2026-10-12, Halifax explosion tops the list with 2,000 deaths.
- #1 Halifax explosion — 2,000 deaths
1917 maritime disaster in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
On the morning of 6 December 1917, the French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc and the Norwegian vessel SS Imo collided in the harbour of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Laden with high explosives, Mont-Blanc caught fire and detonated, devastating the Richmond district of Halifax. At least 1,782 people, largely in Halifax and Dartmouth, were killed by the blast, debris, fires, or collapsed buildings, and an estimated 9,000 others were injured. The blast was the largest human-made explosion at the time.... Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #2 1991 Kanggye Arsenal explosion — 1,000 deaths
1991 disaster in North Korea
source Wikidata - #3 Oppau explosion — 559 deaths
1921 industrial disaster in the Weimar Republic
The Oppau explosion occurred on September 21, 1921, when approximately 4,500 tonnes of a mixture of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored in a tower silo exploded at a BASF plant in Oppau, now part of Ludwigshafen, Germany, killing at least 560 people and injuring about 2,000 more. Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #4 San Juanico disaster — 500 deaths
1984 industrial disaster in Mexico
The San Juanico disaster involved a series of fires and explosions at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank farm in the settlement of San Juan Ixhuatepec, a municipality of Tlalnepantla de Baz, State of Mexico, Mexico, on 19 November 1984. The facility and the settlement, part of Greater Mexico City, were devastated, with 500–600 victims killed, and 5000–7000 suffering severe burns. It is one of the deadliest industrial disasters in world history, and the deadliest industrial accident... Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #5 2010 South Kivu road tanker explosion — 304 deaths
accident
This is a list of notable tank truck fires and explosions. Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #6 Tlahuelilpan pipeline explosion — 300 deaths
2019 gasoline pipeline explosion in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico
On 18 January 2019, a pipeline transporting gasoline exploded in the town of Tlahuelilpan, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The blast killed at least 137 people and injured dozens more. Mexican authorities blamed fuel thieves, who had illegally tapped the pipeline. The explosion was particularly deadly because large crowds of people had gathered at the scene to steal fuel. Security forces tried to persuade people to move away from the scene, but they were outnumbered and asked not to engage... Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #7 Nishapur train disaster — 295 deaths
train wreck
The Neishapur train disaster was a large explosion in the village of Khayyam near Nishapur in Iran, on 18 February 2004. Nearly 300 people were killed and the entire village was destroyed when runaway train wagons crashed into the community in the early morning and exploded a few hours later, resulting in Iran's deadliest rail disaster. It is still unexplained how the parked train had come loose and was able to travel such a long distance with no driver or guard. Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #8 1944 Haebaru train wreck — 220 deaths source Wikidata
- #9 Nagorno-Karabakh fuel depot explosion — 218 deaths
25 September 2023 explosion in Berkadzor, Nagorno-Karabakh
On 25 September 2023, at about 19:00 (UTC+4), an explosion occurred at a military fuel depot in Berkadzor near Stepanakert, in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in the deaths of at least 218 people and 120 injuries. The explosion occurred amidst the chaotic exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, following a major military offensive launched by Azerbaijan against the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh. Read more on Wikipedia.
Wikidata - #10 2020 Beirut explosions — 218 deaths
accidental ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut, Lebanon
On 4 August 2020, a major explosion occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, caused by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. The chemical, confiscated in 2014 from the cargo ship MV Rhosus and stored at the Port of Beirut without adequate safety measures for six years, detonated after a fire broke out in a nearby warehouse. The explosion resulted in at least 218 deaths, 7,000 injuries, and approximately 300,000 displaced people, alongside property damage estimated at US$15 billion. The blast... Read more on Wikipedia.
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