Deadliest Past Earthquakes

Several earthquakes all over the globe have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over the last decade. This article compiles some of the deadliest earthquakes that have caused havoc in the past ten years.

Nepal, April 25th, 2015

A magnitude -7.8 quake hit Nepal on April 25th, 2015 killing more than 8,000 people. More deaths were also reported in Tibet, India, and Bangladesh as a result of this quake that affected the lives of about 8 million people. A dozen of more Nepal citizens were also killed on May 12th, 2015, barely a month later, after another strong quake attacked the country again.

China, August 3rd, 2014

More than 700 people died around Wenping area in China after a magnitude -6.2 quake hit the country. This earthquake caused bodily injury to about 2,000 people and destroyed over 12,000 homes.

Pakistan, September 24th, 2013

At least 825 people were killed in the rural southwestern province of Baluchistan when a magnitude -7.7 quake hit Pakistan. 350 homes in the nearby town of Dalbadi were also destructed.

Japan, March, 11th 2011

A magnitude -9.0 earthquake hit Japan’s coastal side on 11th March 2011 killing about 16,000 people. Up to date, over 2,600 are still listed as missing after that disaster, which washed away all the communities and towns on the northeast coast of Japan. This was the largest earthquake that had been reported in Japan.

Chile, February 27th, 2010

On February 27th, 2010, the coast side of Chile was struck by a magnitude -8.8 quakes that ended up claiming the lives of at least 700 people. 500,000 homes in that country were seriously damaged, and 1.5 million residents were also affected. On the Chilean island, this earthquake caused a tsunami that ended up killing more people.

Haiti, January 12th, 2010

This is one of the most tragic earthquakes that have been witnessed recently. The Haitian capital city of Port-au-Prince was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that tore the city and claimed 316,000 lives of its citizen. As a result of this quake, 1.5 million people were left without homes, and several people still live in tents even up to date.

Indonesia, September 30th, 2009

A powerful magnitude -7.5 temblor struck Indonesia on 30th September 2009 and killed at least 1,100. Most of those who lost their lives were in Podang town at the time of the tragedy. Over 500 buildings were reduced to rumbles following this quake.

China, May 12th, 2008

Close to 90,000 people were killed in what has been described as the China’s worst ever natural disaster. The country’s Sichuan province was hit by a magnitude -7.9 quakes that claimed the lives of over 90,000 and left 5 million without places to call home. This tragedy struck three provinces leading to a direct economic loss estimated at over $122 billion.