Recent Events
What is currently happening in the world? Selected news items are presented here to provide an overview of current and important events. The importance of disaster prevention at both national and international level is highlighted.
Recent Events
Super Typhoon Ragasa causes severe devastation in Asia
Super Typhoon Ragasa caused severe damage in several countries in East and Southeast Asia. At least 27 people were killed, and many more were injured or are missing. The storm first hit the Philippines, where at least ten people, including several fishermen, were...
Earthquake in Afghanistan
During the night of 31 August to 1 September, an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale shook north-eastern Afghanistan. The quake, which occurred at a depth of around eight kilometres, was followed by several aftershocks that reached magnitudes of up to 5.2,...
Severe damage caused by Typhoon Kajiki in Vietnam
In Vietnam, Typhoon Kajiki caused flooding and landslides with heavy rain and strong gusts. The tropical storm reached the country on Monday afternoon (local time) with wind speeds of up to 133 kilometres per hour [1]. Around 300,000 people in coastal regions had been...
Flash floods in Pakistan and India
Heavy rainfall has caused flash floods and landslides in northern India and Pakistan. Pakistan reports at least 344 deaths, with the number likely to rise. Around 200 people are still missing [1], while the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north-west is...
Heatwave and wildfires in Spain
The heatwave that hit Spain on 3 August is still going strong. Heat warnings are in place across almost the whole country. In many places, temperatures reached 40°C to 42°C, with Tuesday marking the hottest day so far at 45°C. Even at night, minimum temperatures of...
Floods and landslides in Japan
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and landslides on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu. Several people have been reported missing. Media reports showed houses, shops and vehicles submerged under about a metre of water, with swollen rivers sweeping away houses and...
Earthquake in Turkey
A strong earthquake shook Turkey on Sunday evening. According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake had a magnitude of 6.0, while the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported a magnitude of 6.1. The epicentre was...
Wildfire in California
In California, on Thursday, 7 August 2025 (local time), the so-called "Canyon Fire" broke out about 60 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles [1, 2, 3, 4]. It spread rapidly within a few hours and burned almost 22 square kilometres of hilly terrain by Sunday [1]. The...
Wildfire in France
France is currently experiencing its largest wildfire in more than 75 years. The fire spread rapidly in the south of the country in the mountainous Corbières region, affecting more than 16,000 hectares [1,2]. A total of 15 municipalities have been affected, numerous...