Latest Disaster planning and response News

3 dead, 1 hospitalized in explosion that sparked massive fire at Ohio auto repair shop

Nov. 29, 2023 15:20 PM EST

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) — An explosion at an auto repair shop in Ohio that killed three people and sent a fourth person to a hospital sparked a massive fire that burned for hours and spewed thick, black smoke into the air. The Tuesday afternoon blast at Jimbo’s Auto Repair in...

Why it took 17 days for rescuers in India to get to 41 workers trapped in a mountain tunnel

Nov. 28, 2023 18:09 PM EST

NEW DELHI (AP) — The rescue mission was expected to last only a few days. Instead, it took 17 days to reach 41 construction workers who were trapped when a landslide collapsed a mountain tunnel in northern India earlier this month. The excruciating wait finally ended at nightfall...

Kenya raises alarm as flooding death toll rises to 76, with thousands marooned by worsening rains

Nov. 27, 2023 12:57 PM EST

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Kenyan government on Monday urged people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as heavy rains and flash floods continued to wreak havoc across East Africa. At least 76 people have died and 40,000 displaced from their homes since the...

Powerful storm pounds the Black Sea region, leaving more than a half-million people without power

Nov. 27, 2023 11:30 AM EST

A weekend storm that pounded the Black Sea region toppled trees, tore down power lines and flooded coastal areas of southern Russia and Ukraine, leaving more than a half-million people without power Monday, officials and media reports said. The Moscow region, meanwhile, was blanketed...

12 crew members are missing, 1 dead after a cargo ship sinks off a Greek island in stormy seas

Nov. 26, 2023 14:57 PM EST

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A cargo ship sank off the Greek island of Lesbos in stormy seas early Sunday, leaving one crew member dead, 12 missing and one rescued, authorities said. The Raptor, registered in Comoros, was on its way to Istanbul from Alexandria, Egypt, carrying 6,000 tons...

Digging to rescue 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India delayed for mechanical issue

Nov. 23, 2023 11:43 AM EST

UTTARKASHI, India (AP) — The rescue of 41 construction workers who have been trapped in a collapsed tunnel in northern India for nearly two weeks ran into another delay during what was described as the final phase of digging to reach them, officials said Thursday. The platform of...

Longer droughts in Zimbabwe take a toll on wildlife and cause more frequent clashes with people

Nov. 23, 2023 00:21 AM EST

GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK, Zimbabwe (AP) — In a remote southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, people watched from cars or towers in an annual wildlife census, peering through binoculars at animals coming to drink at waterholes and jotting down notes, often by torchlight. Around 140...

A baby dies and a Florida mom is found stabbed to death, as firefighters rescue 2 kids from blaze

Nov. 21, 2023 20:35 PM EST

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Firefighters discovered a woman stabbed to death when they rushed to extinguish a blaze early Tuesday at an apartment in Daytona Beach, while her three young children were taken in critical condition to a hospital where the youngest, an infant, died. ...

Deaths from gold mine collapse in Suriname rise to 14, with 7 people still missing

Nov. 21, 2023 15:03 PM EST

PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP) — The number of people killed when an illegal gold mine collapsed in Suriname rose to 14 on Tuesday, with seven others missing in what is considered the South American country’s worst mining accident. Rescue crews combed through mounds of earth in hopes...

Gold mine collapse in Suriname leaves at least 10 dead, authorities say

Nov. 20, 2023 19:49 PM EST

PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP) — At least 10 people died after an illegal gold mine collapsed Monday in the South American country of Suriname, authorities said. Police, military officials and rescue crews were dispatched to the mine, which is located in the country's rural southern...