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 followed. It’s a story of rust, risk, and responsibility, with a slick of denial spread across the surface.

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An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at https://compacthistories.com/disasters/the-sinking-of-the-prestige/

Check out our other Compact podcasts - Compact Biographies, Compact History, Compact Murder, Compact Mysteries, and Compact Warfare at:

• compactbiographies.com
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• compactmysteries.com
• compactwarfare.com

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 NASA and left a permanent mark on space exploration.

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An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at https://5minutedisasters.com/the-space-shuttle-columbia-disaster/

Check out our other 5 Minute podcasts - 5 Minute Biographies, 5 Minute History, 5 Minute Murder, 5 Minute Mysteries, and 5 Minute Warfare at:

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• 5minutemysteries.com
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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 how a small malfunction nearly sparked a much bigger crisis.

Please consider supporting the show by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you get your podcasts, and if you would like to support us more directly, by say, buying us a coffee, then please head on over to 5minutedisasters.com/coffee to see how.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at https://5minutedisasters.com/meltdown-at-three-mile-island/

Check out our other 5 Minute podcasts - 5 Minute Biographies, 5 Minute History, 5 Minute Murder, 5 Minute Mysteries, and 5 Minute Warfare at:

• 5minutebiographies.com
• 5minutehistory.com
• 5minutemurder.com
• 5minutemysteries.com
• 5minutewarfare.com