Skip to main content

Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents

Two dead, three survivors after jet attempts emergency landing, bursts into flames on US highway

After reporting a loss of power to both engines, a pilot skids a small jet across a Florida highway before it bursts into flames.
A small plane lies on its side on the side of a highway, on fire as dark smoke billows from it

More than 40,000 people caught up in sulphur dioxide toxic smoke warning in Perth

A factory fire in Perth's heavy industrial complex has seen a toxic smoke warning issued for more than 40,000 people living in nearby suburbs.
Updated
A massive dark fire burns next to a blue beach

Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities kill five, officials say

Strikes during the morning rush hour hit residential buildings and infrastructure, leaving many wounded and at least five dead.
the facade of a building covered in thick black smoke with three orange flames coming out of windows

Woman killed by falling tree in Adelaide parklands

The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) says the woman, aged in her mid-twenties, was sitting under the tree at University Oval near War Memorial Drive when it fell and killed her.
A fallen tree.

'It was a light bulb moment': Hear the stories young people told us about their changing climate

Natural disasters have punctuated most years of their high school life, but this year's Heywire winners only have tales of resilience to share. 
Updated
A composite image of Spedding, Lar, Maya and Kimberly.

Crew member dies on Marvel's upcoming Wonder Man set

The 41-year-old rigger fell from a catwalk onto a studio stage on Tuesday. 
Updated
Marvel Studios written on big screen

A door panel that flew off a Boeing jet mid-flight appeared to be missing four key bolts

The findings are the result of an initial report by a US safety board investigating the incident.
Updated
A panel is missing from the side of an aircraft between two rows of passenger seats.

Planes at major Queensland airport landing without a single firefighter on duty

The firefighters union is demanding the aviation regulator takes action after five Boeing 737s and a further 59 planes arrived at Sunshine Coast Airport with too few firefighters working in the past two months.
Two aviation firefighters stand in front of a specially designed, bright yellow fire truck.

Police charge son with murder after neighbour finds man dead in suburban backyard

The charge comes after the accused's father was found dead with head injuries at a home just south of Wollongong.
Updated
Forensic officer examining scene

Ukrainian shelling hits bakery in Lysychansk, killing 28, Moscow officials say

Ukrainian officials have not responded to the claims.
A group of men carry a stretcher over a pile of rubble in the dark.

Raging forest fires kill at least 46 in Chile; toll expected to rise

At least 46 people have been killed by wildfires in Chile with the death toll expected to rise.
Updated
A man pours a bucket of water on a burning building.

Woman jumped onto rail tracks to retrieve item thrown by man before pair killed by freight train

Police said Aroulen Chinnien, who was in his 20s, and woman in her 30s died after being hit by the train at Berowra Railway Station about midnight.
Updated
Vin Chinnien with a piercing in his ear, wearing a black button shirt

Mum wades into snake nightmare as she and son try to save chickens from floodwater

Michelle McKenzie realised she was not alone in the waist-deep water that was rising through her Laidley chook pen, counting 16 snakes trying to escape the water around her home.
A snake on a fence.

Boeing to withdraw MAX 7 safety exemption request as scrutiny intensifies following alarming incidents

US politicians had been pressuring the company to withdraw the request following a harrowing mid-air cabin blowout on January 5 that exposed numerous safety and quality control concerns at one of the world's two major jet makers.
The first Boeing 737 MAX 7 is unveiled in Renton, Washington, U.S. February 5, 2018.

Shark expert weighs in on whether it is safe to swim in Sydney Harbour after woman's leg mauled

Questions are being raised on the safety of swimming in Sydney Harbour after a woman was attacked by a bull shark on Monday evening. Calls to stay out of the water have been made by local councillors, but what do experts say?
Updated
Paramedics carry a woman on a stetcher

Abbott considered sending 'large military deployment' to Ukraine in wake of MH17 disaster

Former defence force chief Angus Houston reveals how Tony Abbott considered sending a "large military deployment" to Ukraine after Russia-backed separatists shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 298 people including 38 Australian citizens and residents.
A sunflower rises in a field in front of debris from a plane crash.

Second swimming hole death on NSW north coast sparks concern for risk-takers

Police say the man had been jumping with a group of men from the 30-metre-high falls and failed to resurface. It is the second death at a swimming hole in the region this month.
Updated
Water falls down 30 metres from a creek into a large swimming pool

Rock climber seriously injured after falling 15 metres in Tasmania

A medical team was winched in to treat the man, but bad weather meant it was four hours before he could be taken to hospital.
A view from a helicopter of a steep cliff face with the back of a police officer's helmeted head in the foreground

After years of extreme weather, this couple would 'prefer to deal with Satan' than their insurer

After two years of floods inundating the east coast of Australia, thousands of customers are still waiting for their claims to be finalised.
Updated
A man and a woman stand in front of a house, with tarp covering the front window.

Disturbing research uncovers claims 'bad things' happened to women in emergency centres

NSW government to review recommendations to ensure safety of  vulnerable women and children.
An indoor basketball room filled with people, bedding, chairs and belongings

Drowning inquest recommends SA mandate safety equipment on commercial snorkelling tours

A coronial inquest into the drowning death of Ardebby Oh Chua recommends that businesses conducting snorkelling activities should carry an emergency oxygen unit.
A boat docking with people waiting

Man in his 80s rescued after falling down cliff face in Victoria's Yarra Ranges

Emergency workers have airlifted a man in his 80s to safety after he fell down a cliff in Marysville, sustaining head and pelvis injuries.
Updated
A man on a stretcher being airflited to an ambulance helicopter.

Ice, snow and freezing temperatures kill dozens across US

Two weeks of winter storms in the United States have turned roads into icy death traps, frozen people to death and caused power outages that could take weeks to fix.
Updated
A waterfall runs to a river with a bridge and wall on the opposite side covered in icicles

Search resumes for 43yo man missing in waters off South Australia's Eyre Peninsula

Emergency services resume their search for a man who is still missing after seven people became caught in a rip at a beach near Sleaford yesterday afternoon.
Updated
An SES car parked facing the ocean

Another Melbourne tobacco shop damaged in suspicious fire

Emergency services say a small fire at a Point Cook tobacco shop — the latest in a string of such incidents across Victoria — is being treated as suspicious. 
The outside of a tobacco shop which has had minor damage in a fire.