10 Worst Building Collapses in History
Building collapses have caused severe property damage and fatalities in various places of the world throughout history. Some of the most heinous building collapses have resulted in hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. The following is a list of some of the most noteworthy building collapses in recent memory.
10 Worst Building Collapses in History
World Trade Center Building Collapse
On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center, popularly known as the Twin Towers, fell. The South and North towers collapsed at 9:59 a.m. and 10:28 a.m., respectively, as a result of coordinated terrorist assaults.
The fall of the World Trade Center, often known as the September 11 attacks or 9/11, killed 2,996 people, making it the worst terrorist assault in history.
Rana Plaza Building Collapses
The Rana Plaza collapse, also known as the Dhaka garment factory collapse, happened on April 24, 2013, in Dhaka District, Bangladesh. The 8-story building, which contained five garment manufacturers, collapsed in less than 60 seconds, killing 1,134 people and injuring almost 2,500 others.
The Rana Plaza collapse was caused by structural failure, which was the worst structural disaster in modern history. It drew attention to Bangladesh’s deplorable working conditions.
Sampoon Department Store
On June 29, 1995, the Sampoon Department Store in Seoul’s Seocho-gu District collapsed, killing 502 people. The collapse of the building was caused by structural problems that had been discovered before the disaster but had been disregarded by authorities.
Dzhrashen High School
On December 7, 1988, the Dzhrashen School in Spitak, Armenia, collapsed owing to an earthquake, killing 400 people. Following-up investigations found structural flaws that contributed to the collapse, such as weak connections between the floors and the walls.
Dharahara
On April 25, 2015, a 9-story skyscraper known as the Dharahara fell in Kathmandu, Nepal, killing 200 people. Prior to its collapse, the structure was a landmark and popular tourist destination in Kathmandu. A strong earthquake caused the structure to collapse.
Dharahara, also known as the Bhimsen Tower, was erected in 1832 and was positioned in the heart of Sundhara. The building’s reconstruction began in June 2018.
Canterbury Television Building
The site of the former Canterbury Television offices in Christchurch, New Zealand, has been turned into a monument to the victims of the building collapse.
On February 22, 2011, the Canterbury Television Building in Christchurch, New Zealand, collapsed, killing 115 people. The collapse was triggered by an earthquake, but it is also thought that structural difficulties and technical flaws, such as a lack of ductility in the building’s joints and columns, had a role.
WeiguanJinlongWeiguanJinlong toppled in Taiwan on February 6, 2016, killing 114 people. The collapse was triggered by an earthquake, but the weak and watered-down concrete used to create the structure was also a role.
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Causes of Building Collapses in History
Except for the World Trade Center, which was the consequence of a deliberate terrorist assault, the collapses detailed above were caused by earthquakes or structural problems.
The Worst Building Collapses In History
| Rank | Building | Location | Year | Casualties |
| 1 | Word Trade Center | United States | 2001 | 2,996 |
| 2 | Rana Plaza | Bangladesh | 2013 | 1,134 |
| 3 | Sampoon Department Store | South Korea | 1995 | 502 |
| 4 | School Armenia | Armenia | 1988 | 400 |
| 5 | Dharahara | Nepal | 2015 | 200 |
| 6 | Canterbury Television Building | New Zealand | 2011 | 115 |
| 7 | Weiguanjinlong | Taiwan | 2016 | 114 |
| 8 | Margalla Towers | Pakistan | 2005 | 78 |
| 9 | Fengcheng Power Station | China | 2016 | 74 |
| 10 | Kugaiza Cinema | Japan | 1938 | 69 |
| 11 | Via Giotto | Italy | 1999 | 67 |
| 12 | Katowice Trade Hall | Poland | 2006 | 65 |
| 13 | Residential Building | India | 2013 | 61 |
| 14 | Maxima Superstore | Latvia | 2013 | 54 |
| 15 | Highland Towers | Malaysia | 1993 | 48 |
| 16 | Synagogue Church | Nigeria | 2014 | 44 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What renowned structure has collapsed?
New York City’s Twin Towers. Without a question, the most destructive building collapse in history occurred on September 11, 2001, with the fall of the World Trade Center.
Is it possible for an ancient house to collapse?
Yes, multi-story buildings have the potential to fall through the floor. This usually occurs when there is too much weight and not enough support in the middle. Bottom floors are vulnerable to collapse if the earth underneath them gives way.
What are the different forms of building collapses?
There are five varieties of collapses: pancake, A-frame, V-shaped, supported lean-to, and unsupported lean-to.
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Conclusion on 10 Worst Building Collapses in History
Building collapse has happened across different countries of the world in different magnitudes. recently, a building collapse was reported in Lagos Nigeria.
That’s to say, this list is not all-inclusive, however, they are the worst building collapses in history with the highest number of casualties recorded.
Hope we added to your knowledge. Feel free to use the comment box below to add your view or to add to the list.