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.

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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 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/

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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 NASA and left a permanent mark on space exploration.

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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.

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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 species. It’s a man-made crisis with global consequences — and it’s still happening today.

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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 aftershocks are still being felt today. Tune in to discover how the global economy nearly fell off a cliff in just a few minutes.

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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 war. It’s a tale of war, warning signs, and one very deadly decision on the high seas.

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An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at https://5minutedisasters.com/the-sinking-of-the-rms-lusitania/

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