9 Mass Disasters That Shook New York in the Last Century
New York City is the most heavily populated city in the U.S. with an estimated 8.5 million people living within its five boroughs. It has earned the distinction as being the financial and cultural capital of the world, influencing many industries that are vital to the global economy. When disaster strikes in the beloved city, it is typically accompanied by shock and devastation felt around the world. The city has been impacted by a number of mass disasters over time that have left a mark even long after the destruction has been cleared and the emotional wounds of the community have begun to heal.
According to New York based mass disasters attorney Jonathan C. Reiter, whose firm, the Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC has handled numerous New York City mass disaster injury cases, “the worst mass disasters to occur in the city over the last century have claimed over 5,000 lives combined.” The attorney has outlined the following list of the most memorable mass disasters to occur in New York City over time.
- The Ninth Avenue Subway Train Derailment – During morning rush hour on September 11, 1905 a train of the Ninth Avenue line was switched onto the curve by mistake. The incident led to the second car of the train being thrown off the trestle and a subsequent fire. It is regarded as the worst elevated railway accident in New York City’s history, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuring 48 others.
- Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire – Deemed the deadliest industrial disaster in NYC’s history, 146 garment workers were killed after a fire began in a scrap bin on the 8th floor of the factory. Doors to the stairwells and exits had been locked by factory owners, leaving many workers unable to escape.
- Happy Land Social Club Fire – The fire at the unlicensed social club in the Bronx was started by arson. A reported 87 people were killed after becoming trapped in the building. The building had been ordered closed due to several code violations.
- Kew Gardens Train Crash – In 1950, the worst railway accident in the Long Island Railroad’s history occurred resulting in the deaths of 78 people. The collision occurred after a Babylon train hit another train that was stationary at the time.
- Crash of American Airlines Flight 1 – The plane crash occurred on March 1, 1962 two minutes after taking off. An investigation found the crash resulted from a manufacturing defect in the auto pilot system.
- Crash of American Airlines Flight 587 – The crash of Flight 587 occurred on November 12, 2001 after the plane crashed into the Belle Harbor area of Queens. The NTSB concluded the accident had been caused by the co-pilot’s overuse of rudder controls while responding to wake turbulence. There were 260 people on board the plane who died in the crash, and five people on the ground who were also killed.
- Malbone Street Train Crash – On November 1, 1918, one of the deadliest train crashes the United States has ever seen occurred. The incident involved an elevated train that derailed while negotiating a curve going at a speed between 30 and 40 mph. It was meant to be taken at 6 mph. At least 93 people were killed in the accident.
- Crash of American Airlines Flight 320 – American Airlines Flight 320 crashed on February 3, 1959 into the East River on approach. It resulted in the deaths of 65 of the 73 people on board. Premature descent was cited as a factor in a probable cause statement by NTSB predecessor, the Civil Aeronautics Board.
- World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks – The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City remain on the minds of many in present times. On September 11, 2001, 2,606 people were killed after hijackers of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the North and South Towers of the WTC.
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