![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9501f62d.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9bb4efe8.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9bc31907.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9bf50a25.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9c17336c.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9ae436dc.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9aed312c.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9a6d0692.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9a7aa9b7.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9a10fee6.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9a0db5ec.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9983dbe5.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad99fda367.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad98996310.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9960da40.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad98931875.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad989309ed.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad9843c1cd.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad988a0112.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad97c803e0.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad981726ba.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad977aa261.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad97a5cdba.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad96358003.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad95fd667a.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad96b43f56.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad96e17a14.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad961bc5c0.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad95e3c227.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad950d1831.jpg)
![Deadliest avalanches in history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5c5ad95ea6786.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Reuters
0 / 31 Fotos
Wellington avalanche - Wellington was a small railroad community in the US state of Washington. In 1910, the town was battered by the Wellington avalanche.
© Public Domain
1 / 31 Fotos
Wellington avalanche - Trains were trapped under the snow, and the death count is estimated to be around 96.
© Public Domain
2 / 31 Fotos
Ōmi Train avalanche in 1922 - The 1922 Ōmi Train avalanche was a devastating natural disaster that claimed the lives of nearly 100 people.
© Public Domain
3 / 31 Fotos
Ōmi Train avalanche in 1922 - An avalanche hit the railway line between Hokuriku and Qinhai, derailing a train. It's one of Japan's worst ever natural disasters.
© Public Domain
4 / 31 Fotos
Kohistan avalanche in 2010 - There were a series of avalanches that devastated the world in 2010. One occurred in Kohistan, Pakistan.
© Reuters
5 / 31 Fotos
Kohistan avalanche in 2010 - The village of Bagaro Serai was struck by one particularly horrible avalanche that killed over 100 people.
© Reuters
6 / 31 Fotos
Saint-Martin et Chèze avalanche - Way back in the 17th century, this area in France's Hautes-Pyrénées was hit with a ruinous avalanche.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Saint-Martin et Chèze avalanche - It's estimated that 107 people were killed as a result of this avalanche that occurred in 1600.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Kolka-Karmadon rock ice slide - This disaster took place around Mount Kazbek in September 2002. It occurred after the collapse of the Kolka Glacier.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Kolka-Karmadon rock ice slide - The ice slide heavily impacted the Genaldon and Karmadon vallies. Around 125 people died because of the disaster, including a film crew of 27 people.
© Public Domain
10 / 31 Fotos
Gayari Sector avalanche in 2012 - This avalanche hit a Pakistani military base in the nation's Gayari Sector.
© Reuters
11 / 31 Fotos
Gayari Sector avalanche in 2012 - The avalanche trapped 140 soldiers and civilian contractors under the snow. No one made it out alive.
© Reuters
12 / 31 Fotos
Mitsumata village avalanche in 1918 - In the early 20th century, an avalanche wreaked havoc on the village of Mitsumata in Japan.
© Reuters
13 / 31 Fotos
Mitsumata village avalanche in 1918
- In 1918, an avalanche assaulted the village, destroying over 30 houses and killing 158 people. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 1.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
14 / 31 Fotos
Salang avalanches in 2010 - In 2010, a series of at least 36 avalanches hit the Salang tunnel in Kabul, Afghanistan.
© Reuters
15 / 31 Fotos
Salang avalanches in 2010 - Around 171 people died in the disaster, which was caused by a freak storm in the Hindu Kush mountains.
© Reuters
16 / 31 Fotos
Lahaul Valley avalanche - In 1979, India was hit with a series of destructive avalanches.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Lahaul Valley avalanche - Lahaul Valley was buried by multiple avalanches. It's thought that around 200 people died in the disasters.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2012 - Afghanistan was ravaged by three avalanches back in March 2012. The avalanches struck the region of Badakhshan.
© Reuters
19 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2012 - Over 200 people were confirmed to have died.
© Reuters
20 / 31 Fotos
The Winter of Terror
- The Winter of Terror lasted three months from 1950 to 1951. An unprecedented number of avalanches struck the Austria-Switzerland border in the Alps. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
21 / 31 Fotos
The Winter of Terror
- Over 600 avalanches struck the region, killing an estimated 265 people. There was also significant damage to towns and buildings. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
22 / 31 Fotos
White Friday - White Friday was a day that shook Italy during WWI. An avalanche occurred at Mount Marmolada, striking an Austrian barracks on the mountain ridge.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
White Friday - It's estimated that around 10.000 soldiers were killed in the avalanche. Historians think that both Italian and Austrian soldiers fired shells at the mountain, trying to trigger an avalanche to destroy the other side.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2015 - The worst avalanches in recent history occurred in 2015. A total of 40 avalanches struck the Panjshir Province, devastating the region.
© Reuters
25 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2015 - At least 310 people were killed in the avalanches. It was the worst disaster of this kind in three decades.
© Reuters
26 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1962 - Back in 1962, Peru was struck with a chaotic avalanche from Huascarán mountain. Nine towns and several villages were destroyed by the natural disaster.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1962 - Over 4,000 people were killed by the avalanche. The disaster was caused by a giant glacier that suddenly broke apart and fell down the mountainside.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1970 - Peru doesn't have any luck when it comes to natural disasters. The world's worst avalanche occurred there way back in 1970.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1970 - Triggered by the Ancash earthquake, the 1970 Huascarán avalanche was devastating. The death toll was estimated to be around 20,000.
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Reuters
0 / 31 Fotos
Wellington avalanche - Wellington was a small railroad community in the US state of Washington. In 1910, the town was battered by the Wellington avalanche.
© Public Domain
1 / 31 Fotos
Wellington avalanche - Trains were trapped under the snow, and the death count is estimated to be around 96.
© Public Domain
2 / 31 Fotos
Ōmi Train avalanche in 1922 - The 1922 Ōmi Train avalanche was a devastating natural disaster that claimed the lives of nearly 100 people.
© Public Domain
3 / 31 Fotos
Ōmi Train avalanche in 1922 - An avalanche hit the railway line between Hokuriku and Qinhai, derailing a train. It's one of Japan's worst ever natural disasters.
© Public Domain
4 / 31 Fotos
Kohistan avalanche in 2010 - There were a series of avalanches that devastated the world in 2010. One occurred in Kohistan, Pakistan.
© Reuters
5 / 31 Fotos
Kohistan avalanche in 2010 - The village of Bagaro Serai was struck by one particularly horrible avalanche that killed over 100 people.
© Reuters
6 / 31 Fotos
Saint-Martin et Chèze avalanche - Way back in the 17th century, this area in France's Hautes-Pyrénées was hit with a ruinous avalanche.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Saint-Martin et Chèze avalanche - It's estimated that 107 people were killed as a result of this avalanche that occurred in 1600.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Kolka-Karmadon rock ice slide - This disaster took place around Mount Kazbek in September 2002. It occurred after the collapse of the Kolka Glacier.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Kolka-Karmadon rock ice slide - The ice slide heavily impacted the Genaldon and Karmadon vallies. Around 125 people died because of the disaster, including a film crew of 27 people.
© Public Domain
10 / 31 Fotos
Gayari Sector avalanche in 2012 - This avalanche hit a Pakistani military base in the nation's Gayari Sector.
© Reuters
11 / 31 Fotos
Gayari Sector avalanche in 2012 - The avalanche trapped 140 soldiers and civilian contractors under the snow. No one made it out alive.
© Reuters
12 / 31 Fotos
Mitsumata village avalanche in 1918 - In the early 20th century, an avalanche wreaked havoc on the village of Mitsumata in Japan.
© Reuters
13 / 31 Fotos
Mitsumata village avalanche in 1918
- In 1918, an avalanche assaulted the village, destroying over 30 houses and killing 158 people. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 1.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
14 / 31 Fotos
Salang avalanches in 2010 - In 2010, a series of at least 36 avalanches hit the Salang tunnel in Kabul, Afghanistan.
© Reuters
15 / 31 Fotos
Salang avalanches in 2010 - Around 171 people died in the disaster, which was caused by a freak storm in the Hindu Kush mountains.
© Reuters
16 / 31 Fotos
Lahaul Valley avalanche - In 1979, India was hit with a series of destructive avalanches.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Lahaul Valley avalanche - Lahaul Valley was buried by multiple avalanches. It's thought that around 200 people died in the disasters.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2012 - Afghanistan was ravaged by three avalanches back in March 2012. The avalanches struck the region of Badakhshan.
© Reuters
19 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2012 - Over 200 people were confirmed to have died.
© Reuters
20 / 31 Fotos
The Winter of Terror
- The Winter of Terror lasted three months from 1950 to 1951. An unprecedented number of avalanches struck the Austria-Switzerland border in the Alps. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
21 / 31 Fotos
The Winter of Terror
- Over 600 avalanches struck the region, killing an estimated 265 people. There was also significant damage to towns and buildings. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
22 / 31 Fotos
White Friday - White Friday was a day that shook Italy during WWI. An avalanche occurred at Mount Marmolada, striking an Austrian barracks on the mountain ridge.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
White Friday - It's estimated that around 10.000 soldiers were killed in the avalanche. Historians think that both Italian and Austrian soldiers fired shells at the mountain, trying to trigger an avalanche to destroy the other side.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2015 - The worst avalanches in recent history occurred in 2015. A total of 40 avalanches struck the Panjshir Province, devastating the region.
© Reuters
25 / 31 Fotos
Afghanistan avalanches in 2015 - At least 310 people were killed in the avalanches. It was the worst disaster of this kind in three decades.
© Reuters
26 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1962 - Back in 1962, Peru was struck with a chaotic avalanche from Huascarán mountain. Nine towns and several villages were destroyed by the natural disaster.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1962 - Over 4,000 people were killed by the avalanche. The disaster was caused by a giant glacier that suddenly broke apart and fell down the mountainside.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1970 - Peru doesn't have any luck when it comes to natural disasters. The world's worst avalanche occurred there way back in 1970.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Huascarán avalanche in 1970 - Triggered by the Ancash earthquake, the 1970 Huascarán avalanche was devastating. The death toll was estimated to be around 20,000.
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
Deadliest avalanches in history
Ice cold disasters that shook the planet
© Reuters
As far as natural disasters go, avalanches often get overshadowed by tornadoes, earthquakes, or even a volcanic eruption. However, a bad avalanche can kill thousands, and can destroy entire towns and cities. Find out how devastating an avalanche can be by clicking through this gallery on the world's worst cases ever.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![The angel number of each zodiac sign](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daea83cf3d5.jpg)
![Do you have a Sunday reset routine?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dabb3c56bfa.jpg)
![Natural spies: Animals used in espionage](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9cea393994.jpg)
![Miracles and a temper? Experts investigate Jesus' childhood](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dafd980019e.jpg)
![Exploring the tree house hotel where Princess Elizabeth learned she'd be Queen](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daf9f737929.jpg)
![The top 30 most valuable brands of 2024](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d6f050a2e93.jpg)
![Countries where bosses can't contact employees after hours](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dae767723a3.jpg)
![The sad reality of femicide around the world](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dace5c31b08.jpg)
![Who is the top goal scorer of all time?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dac9cd5b549.jpg)
![The amazing life of Jane Goodall, the world's most famous primatologist](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c5a6523fb.jpg)
![What was the Neanderthal diet like?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c4ba462b7.jpg)
![The greatest surfers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a3991191.jpg)
![Fascinating facts you probably didn't know about the Oval Office](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db0390a5798.jpg)
![How does tennis scoring actually work?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a540f53f.jpg)
![What would the world look like if mosquitos were eradicated?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5eac49dc86.jpg)
![Countries that have banned X, TikTok, and Facebook](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d72124468bd.jpg)
![Outdated workplace trends to say goodbye to](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8529e0ac2a.jpg)
![American football players who became coaches](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d59a4ede1a9.jpg)
![Experts predict a tsunami in Europe with 100% probability](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d97aef417a7.jpg)
![The greatest female wrestlers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5d7aa902d2.jpg)
![How your zodiac sign influences your personality traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84e22a505a.jpg)
![Unique ways your zodiac sign sabotages romantic relationships](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84aee582cb.jpg)
![Japan's trick to reverse population collapse](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d719469c392.jpg)
![The terrifying history of the dark web](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84942d0d7a.jpg)
![The F1 drivers with the most pole positions ever](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d71d2095a6e.jpg)
![The most (and least) intelligent zodiac signs, ranked](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8447cb1c5d.jpg)
![The fascinating spiritual meaning of your animal dreams, revealed](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83ec1a1923.jpg)
![Are you an introvert? These are the telltale signs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d840333af90.jpg)
![The sad reasons why some good relationships don't last](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84195c34c0.jpg)
![Clear signs you've hit a midlife crisis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83d116bd09.jpg)
![Stunning pictures of the world's strangest and rarest weather phenomena](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83c14b308e.jpg)
![These zodiac signs are the funniest](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8329f2cd1f.jpg)
![You can live in luxury on a budget in these countries](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82d763b2b6.jpg)
![This is why even the best players miss penalties during a shoot-out](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82c209a643.jpg)
![Which countries have the most bald men?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d838cccf6e9.jpg)
![Decode your pup: strange dog behaviors explained](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d086ddd77a1.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
LIFESTYLE Wealth
-
3
HEALTH Bad habit
-
4
LIFESTYLE History
-
5
FOOD Food storage
-
6
LIFESTYLE Secondhand
-
7
LIFESTYLE Secondhand
-
8
HEALTH Risks
-
9
-
10
LIFESTYLE Politics
Why is the far-right gaining popularity among young people in Europe?