Compact Disasters is a podcast that delivers bite-sized episodes exploring some of the world's most catastrophic events, from natural disasters to human-made tragedies. Each episode, lasting less time than it takes to enjoy a coffee, dives into the causes, consequences, and lasting impacts of these events, offering listeners a concise but comprehensive overview. Whether it's hurricanes, industrial accidents, or historical calamities, the podcast aims to engage and inform audiences with well- ...
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In this episode, we revisit the night flames engulfed one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. From the first wisp of smoke to the collapse of the spire, and through to its remarkable restoration, this is the story of loss, resilience, and rebirth. Join us as we uncover how centuries of history almost vanished in…
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In June 1955, the world of motorsport was forever changed when a collision at the 24 Hours of Le Mans sent a Mercedes racing car into the crowd, killing driver Pierre Levegh and more than 80 spectators. It remains the deadliest disaster in racing history, a tragedy that forced sweeping changes to track design, car safety, and the way fans watch mot…
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When modern aviation meets corporate shortcuts, disaster can strike. In this episode of Compact Disasters, we unpack the story behind the Boeing 737 Max, a jet built in haste that led to two tragic crashes, a global grounding, and one of the most significant reckonings in aviation history. Listen now to understand how engineering, economics and eth…
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Around 1600 BCE, the volcanic island of Thera erupted with a force that reshaped the Aegean, sending tsunamis across the Mediterranean and burying the Minoan settlement of Akrotiri under metres of ash. In this episode, we explore how one of history’s largest eruptions destroyed an island, disrupted ancient civilisations, and may have inspired legen…
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In 27 AD, Rome witnessed one of the deadliest stadium disasters in history when a hastily built wooden amphitheatre in Fidenae collapsed during a gladiatorial spectacle. Packed with thousands of spectators eager for the games, the structure gave way without warning, sending the crowd crashing into the wreckage below. In this episode, we uncover how…
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On 21 October 1966, a wall of coal waste roared down a hillside into the Welsh village of Aberfan, engulfing homes and Pantglas Junior School in seconds. One hundred and forty-four people were killed, including 116 children, in a tragedy that shocked the world and exposed a chain of negligence. In this episode, we revisit the heartbreaking events o…
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In August 2020, a massive explosion tore through Beirut, killing over 200 people and leaving the city in ruins. At the heart of the tragedy? A forgotten cache of ammonium nitrate, years of negligence, and a system in freefall. This episode unpacks the blast, the blame, and the long road to justice for a wounded capital. Please consider supporting t…
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In the 1600s, the Dutch Republic witnessed one of history’s most infamous financial frenzies, the Tulip Mania. Prices for rare bulbs skyrocketed and then crashed almost overnight. But was it really the world’s first bubble, or just a case of economic myth-making? In this episode, we dig into the petals, the profits, and the popular misconceptions. …
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In 2002, the oil tanker Prestige broke apart off the coast of Spain, spilling thousands of tonnes of toxic fuel into the Atlantic and unleashing one of Europe’s worst environmental disasters. In this episode, we trace the ship’s final hours, the fateful decisions that led to catastrophe, and the massive ecological and political fallout that followe…
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In 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia was just minutes from landing when it broke apart high above Earth, killing all seven astronauts aboard. In this episode, we explore how a routine mission turned tragic, from the unnoticed damage during launch to the catastrophic failure during re-entry. It’s a story of foam, fire, and fatal assumptions that reshaped…
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In 1979, America came dangerously close to a nuclear catastrophe. In this episode, we unpack the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island, the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history. From a stuck valve and human error to mass panic and global fallout for the nuclear industry, this disaster changed how the world views atomic energy. Tune in to discover…
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The lungs of the Earth are under attack. In this episode, we explore the ongoing deforestation crisis in the Brazilian Amazon — a disaster unfolding not with explosions, but with chainsaws and bulldozers. Learn how illegal logging, agriculture, and political tensions are devastating the rainforest, fuelling climate change, and threatening countless…
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In 2008, the world watched as banks collapsed, stock markets crashed, and economies unravelled. In this episode, we explore how risky loans, financial greed, and a housing bubble combined to trigger the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. From Wall Street to high streets around the globe, millions felt the shockwaves — and the after…
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In 1915, the RMS Lusitania was a symbol of luxury and speed — until a German U-boat turned it into a symbol of tragedy. In this episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the torpedo strike that sent the grand ocean liner to the bottom of the sea, the international outrage that followed, and how one sinking ship helped push the world closer to total…
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In 1981, a night of dancing and celebration at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City turned into one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history. In this episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we unpack the shocking collapse of two skywalks packed with people, the design flaw that sealed their fate, and the lasting legacy on engineering practices world…
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When the Costa Concordia set sail, no one expected a disaster worthy of Titanic comparisons—but that’s exactly what happened. In episode 34 of 5 Minute Disasters, we dive into the chaotic wreck of the cruise liner off the coast of Italy in 2012. With a captain’s fateful decisions, a dramatic evacuation, and a ship lying on its side like a stranded …
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In Episode 33 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we examine the devastating Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Japanese history. Striking the Tokyo-Yokohama region on 1 September, the powerful earthquake and the subsequent fires destroyed entire cities, leaving over 140,000 people dead. The disaster reshaped J…
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In Episode 32 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we examine the devastating looting of the National Museum of Iraq, one of the greatest cultural losses in modern history. In April 2003, amid the chaos following the US-led invasion of Iraq, the museum was ransacked, with thousands of priceless artefacts stolen or destroyed. Treasures spanning millen…
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In Episode 31 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we examine the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, the tsunami unleashed towering waves that struck coastal communities across 14 countries, leaving destruction in its w…
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Episode 30 of 5 Minute Disasters explores the catastrophic 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the most devastating volcanic disaster in United States history. On 18 May, a powerful explosion shattered the mountain, triggering a massive landslide and releasing an ash cloud that darkened skies for miles. The blast obliterated forests, destroyed homes…
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Episode 29 of 5 Minute Disasters tells the harrowing story of the Peshtigo Fire, the deadliest wildfire in American history. On 8 October 1871, the small town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, was consumed by an inferno so intense that it melted metal and created firestorms. With winds fanning the flames and no means of escape, over 1,500 people perished in …
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Episode 28 of 5 Minute Disasters explores the tragic 2009 Air France Flight 447 crash, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in modern history. The Airbus A330 disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean while en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, claiming the lives of all 228 passengers and crew on board. For nearly two years, the mystery surrounding t…
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In episode 27 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we examine the devastating Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989, an environmental catastrophe that poured nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska. In just five minutes, we uncover the human errors and corporate negligence that led to the disaster, the…
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In episode 26 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we revisit the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history. In just five minutes, we explore how the island's violent explosion devastated nearby regions, unleashing colossal tsunamis and killing tens of thousands of people. The eruption sen…
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In episode 25 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we delve into the strange and tragic story of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. In just five minutes, we recount how a massive storage tank in Boston’s North End burst, unleashing a 25-foot wave of molasses that tore through the streets, destroying buildings and claiming 21 lives. This bizarre disast…
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In the 24th episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we delve into the devastating story of the Black Death, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. In just five minutes, we explore how this plague swept through Europe, Asia, and North Africa in the 14th century, killing millions and reshaping societies. From its mysterious origins and terrifying sy…
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In the twenty-third episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the tragic story of the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, one of history’s greatest cultural losses. In just five minutes, we recount how this ancient centre of knowledge, renowned for its vast collection of texts from across the ancient world, was lost to history through a mix o…
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In the twenty-second episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we delve into the enduring mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared on 8 March 2014 with 239 people on board. In just five minutes, we recount the timeline of the flight, the painstaking search efforts, and the fragments of evidence that have been uncovered. The episode explores …
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In the twenty-first episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the Dust Bowl, a devastating environmental catastrophe that swept through the Great Plains of the United States during the 1930s. In just five minutes, we examine how poor agricultural practices, combined with severe drought, turned once-fertile farmland into barren wasteland, displacing…
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In the twentieth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we recount the tragic Apollo 1 disaster of 1967, a devastating event that claimed the lives of three NASA astronauts—Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee. In just five minutes, we explore how a fire broke out during a routine pre-flight test, engulfing the command module and highlighting critic…
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In the nineteenth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we examine the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, one of the deadliest outbreaks in human history. In just five minutes, we explore how this devastating influenza virus spread rapidly across the globe during the final months of World War I, infecting a third of the world’s population and claiming an estim…
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In the eighteenth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we delve into the Great Smog of London, a deadly environmental disaster that engulfed the city in December 1952. In just five minutes, we explore how a combination of coal smoke, industrial pollution, and a weather phenomenon created a toxic fog that lingered for five days, claiming thousands of live…
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In the seventeenth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we examine the tragic Concorde crash of July 2000, which marked the end of an era for supersonic passenger travel. In just five minutes, we recount the chain of events that led to the catastrophic crash shortly after take-off from Paris, resulting in the deaths of all 113 people on board. The episod…
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In episode 16 of 5 Minute Biographies, we take a look at the Johnstown Flood of 1889, which was one of the deadliest disasters in American history, claiming over 2,200 lives. It occurred when the South Fork Dam in Pennsylvania collapsed after days of heavy rain, unleashing 20 million tons of water onto the town of Johnstown. The flood destroyed hom…
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In episode 15 of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the devastating Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. In just five minutes, we recount the events of December 1984, when a leak of toxic methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, exposed hundreds of thousands of residents to lethal chem…
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In the fourteenth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we recount the tragic events of the 1977 Tenerife Airport disaster, the deadliest aviation accident in history. In just five minutes, we’ll take you through the sequence of miscommunications, dense fog, and procedural errors that led to two jumbo jets colliding on the runway, resulting in the deaths …
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In the thirteenth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we delve into the Wall Street Crash of 1929, a financial catastrophe that triggered the Great Depression and sent shockwaves through economies worldwide. In just five minutes, we’ll explore the speculative bubble, risky investments, and sudden panic that led to this historic market collapse. The epis…
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In the twelfth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we delve into the tragic history of the Irish Potato Famine, a devastating period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration that reshaped Ireland. In just five minutes, we explore how a blight that destroyed the potato crop—a staple food for much of the population—led to widespread famine, claiming on…
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In the eleventh episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we cover the devastating Halifax Explosion of 1917, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. In just five minutes, we’ll revisit the tragic collision of two ships in Halifax Harbour, one loaded with explosive cargo bound for World War I, which led to a blast that flattened large parts of t…
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In the tenth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we recount the tragic story of the Challenger explosion, a disaster that shook the world and marked a sombre chapter in space exploration. In just five minutes, we’ll revisit the events of January 28, 1986, when NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart shortly after launch, claiming the lives of all se…
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In the ninth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we examine the 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami, one of the most destructive natural disasters in recent history. In just five minutes, we’ll take you through the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off Japan's coast, unleashing a massive tsunami that devastated coastal towns and claimed nearly 16,00…
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In the eighth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the colossal eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, the most powerful volcanic eruption ever recorded. In just five minutes, we’ll delve into how this catastrophic event devastated the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, wiping out villages and claiming tens of thousands of lives. The eruption was so ma…
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In the seventh episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the most devastating environmental disasters in recent history. In just five minutes, we’ll explain the events of April 20, 2010, when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico suffered a catastrophic blowout, resulting in the release of nearl…
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In the sixth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we dive into the tragic story of the Hindenburg disaster, which marked the end of the airship era. In just five minutes, we’ll recount the dramatic events of May 6, 1937, when the German airship Hindenburg, filled with flammable hydrogen gas, caught fire while attempting to land in New Jersey. The massive…
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In the fifth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we travel back to 79 CE to explore the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii. In just around five minutes, we’ll take you through the dramatic events that saw Pompeii buried under volcanic ash and pumice, preserving a snapshot of Roman life frozen in time. The eruption dev…
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In the fourth episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we revisit the Great Fire of London, which devastated the city in 1666. In just five minutes, we’ll guide you through the events that led to the fire’s outbreak in a small bakery on Pudding Lane, and how it quickly spread through London’s narrow streets, fuelled by timber-framed houses. The fire raged fo…
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In the third episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we take a look at the catastrophic Chernobyl disaster of 1986, the worst nuclear accident in history. In just five minutes, we’ll walk you through the series of events that led to the explosion of Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, releasing deadly levels of radiation across Europe. This epis…
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In the second episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we explore the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic, the "unsinkable" ship that met a devastating fate on its maiden voyage in 1912. In just five minutes, we recount the events leading up to the disaster, including the iceberg collision that tore through the ship’s hull and the chaotic, heartbreaking scenes…
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In the first episode of 5 Minute Disasters, we delve into the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, one of the deadliest and most destructive earthquakes in American history. In just five minutes, you’ll learn about the powerful tremor that struck the city, the fires that followed, and the monumental loss of life and property. With a magnitude…
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