Bad Aibling rail accident
On 9 February 2016, two Meridian-branded passenger trains had a head-on collision at Bad Aibling, Germany. Of approximately 150 people on board the two trains, 12 people died and 85 others were injured, of which 24 seriously. Two months after the accident, investigators announced that it had been caused by the irresponsible Deutsche Bahn train dispatcher who gave incorrect orders to the two trains while distracted by a game he was playing on his mobile phone. The dispatcher further compounded his error when, upon realizing it, he tried to send emergency codes to the trains but entered the wrong combination into his computer.
1971 San Fernando earthquake
The 1971 San Fernando earthquake (also known as the 1971 Sylmar earthquake) occurred in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California. The unanticipated thrust earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5 on the Ms scale and 6.6 on the Mw scale, and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). The event was one in a series that affected Los Angeles county in the late 20th century. Damage was locally severe in the northern San Fernando Valley and surface faulting was extensive to the south of the epicenter in the mountains, as well as urban settings along city streets and neighborhoods. Uplift and other effects affected private homes and businesses.
Rotterdam Metro opened
The Rotterdam Metro is a rapid transit system operated in Rotterdam, Netherlands and surrounding municipalities. The first line, called Noord - Zuidlijn (North - South line) opened in 1968 and ran from Centraal Station to Zuidplein, crossing the river Nieuwe Maas in a tunnel. It was the first metro system to open in the Netherlands. At the time it was also one of the shortest metro lines in the world with a length of only 5.9 km (3.7 mi).
Rome Metro opened
The Rome Metro is a rapid transit system that operates in Rome, Italy. It started operation in 1955, making it the oldest in the country. The Metro comprises three lines - A (orange), B (blue) and C (green) - which operate on 60 km (37 mi) of route, serving 73 stations.
