8 Worst Dam Disasters of All Time 

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1. Banqiao Dam Failure (China, 1975) 

The Banqiao Dam failure is considered the deadliest dam disaster in history. The dam was located in Henan Province, China, and it failed on August 8, 1975, after being heavily damaged by Typhoon Nina. The failure of the dam caused a massive flood that killed an estimated 26,000 to 240,000 people.  

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2. Teton Dam Failure (United States, 1976) 

The Teton Dam was a hydroelectric dam in Idaho that failed on June 5, 1976, just two years after its completion. The failure of the dam caused a flood that killed 14 people and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage.

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3. St. Francis Dam Failure (United States, 1928) 

The St. Francis Dam was a concrete arch dam in California that failed on March 12, 1928. The failure of the dam caused a flood that killed an estimated 431 people and caused an estimated $10 million in damage. 

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4. Vajont Dam Disaster (Italy, 1963) 

The Vajont Dam was a hydroelectric dam in Italy that failed on October 9, 1963. The failure of the dam was caused by a massive landslide that entered the reservoir behind the dam. The landslide caused a wave that reached a height of over 300 meters (1,000 feet) and destroyed several villages, killing an estimated 2,000 people. 

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5. Machchu II Dam Failure (India, 1979) 

The Machchu II Dam was an earthen dam in India that failed on August 11, 1979. The failure of the dam was caused by heavy rainfall and improper design. The failure of the dam caused a flood that killed an estimated 1,800 people. 

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6. Malpasset Dam Failure (France, 1959) 

The Malpasset Dam was a concrete gravity dam in France that failed on December 2, 1959. The failure of the dam was caused by a geological fault that caused the dam to crack. The failure of the dam caused a flood that killed an estimated 423 people. 

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7. Baldwin Hills Reservoir Disaster (United States, 1963) 

The Baldwin Hills Reservoir was a reservoir in California that failed on December 14, 1963. The failure of the reservoir was caused by a combination of factors, including poor construction and heavy rainfall. The failure of the reservoir caused a flood that killed 5 people and caused an estimated $10 million in damage. 

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8. Val di Stava Dam Collapse (Italy, 1985) 

The Val di Stava Dam was a tailings dam in Italy that collapsed on July 9, 1985. The collapse of the dam was caused by a combination of factors, including poor construction and heavy rainfall. The collapse of the dam caused a mudflow that killed 268 people and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage. 

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