The Top 5 Deadliest Avalanches and Mudslides in History

  Location Date Type Estimated Number of Deaths
1 Western Iran Jun 20, 1990. Landslide(s) 40,000 to 50,000
2 Armero, Colombia November 13, 1985 Mudslide/landslide/ debris flow 23,000
3 Yungay, Peru May 31, 1970. Debris avalanche 20,000
4 The Swiss Alps Oct, 218 B.C. Avalanche(s) 18,000 (Hannibals army)
5 Huarz, Peru Dec 13th, 1941 Avalanche 6,000
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  1. Landslides and avalanches are usually secondary effects of primary events such as an earthquake, flood or deforestation.
  2. The landslide deaths in the Swiss Alps from Hannibal's army while crossing the mountain range is estimated. Many of the soldiers undoubtedly died from other causes related to cold. It is difficult to determine exactly how many died from avalanches directly.
Tags: Death Statistics, Natural Disasters

Sources:  Top5ofanything.com disaster research 2017.

List Notes: For the purposes of this list one landslide listed can actually be a series of more than one events and data may include nearby cities and towns not listed but were affected by the disaster. List last updated September 2017.
Deadliest Avalanches and Mudslides in History

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