Great Fire of Valparaiso
The Great Fire of Valparaiso started on 12 April 2014 at 16:40 local time (19:40 UTC), in the hills of the city of Valparaiso, Chile. The wildfire destroyed at least 2,500 homes, leaving 11,000 people homeless. An additional 6,000 people were evacuated from the city, which was placed on red alert and declared a disaster zone. Fifteen people were confirmed killed and ten suffered serious injuries.
Merano derailment
The Merano derailment occurred on 12 April 2010 when a train derailed between Latsch and Kastelbell, near Merano, Italy, after running into a landslide, causing nine deaths and injuring 28 people. The landslide which reportedly derailed the train is believed to have been caused by a burst irrigation pipe, or by a valve inadvertently left open.
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya dies
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was an Indian civil engineer, administrator, and statesman, known as the "Father of Indian civil engineering".
Rocksprings, Texas tornado
Rocksprings, Texas is hit by an F5 tornado that destroys 235 of the 247 buildings in the town, kills 72 townspeople and injures 205, almost a third of the population at the time. It is the third deadliest tornado in Texas history.
New York Hippodrome opened
The New York Hippodrome was a theater in New York City, which had state-of-the-art theatrical technology and had a seating capacity of 5,300. With a 100x200ft (30x61m) stage capable of holding as many as 1,000 performers at a time, the gargantuan building is still considered one of the true wonders of theatre architecture.
Joseph Dana Webster died
Joseph Dana Webster was a United States Civil Engineer and soldier. He served as 2nd lieutenant in the U.S Topographical Engineers and captain of the U.S. Engineers.
Grenville M. Dodge was born
Grenville Mellen Dodge was an American Civil Engineer and Union Army officer during the Civil War. He was mainly involved in surveying railroads, including the Union Pacific.
