When the Costa Concordia set sail, no one expected a disaster worthy of Titanic comparisons—but that’s exactly what happened. In episode 34 of 5 Minute Disasters, we dive into the chaotic wreck of the cruise liner off the coast of Italy in 2012. With a captain’s fateful decisions, a dramatic evacuation, and a ship lying on its side like a stranded whale, this story has all the hallmarks of a modern maritime tragedy. Hit play and find out how a luxury voyage turned into one of the most infamous shipwrecks of the 21st century.

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In Episode 33 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we examine the devastating Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Japanese history. Striking the Tokyo-Yokohama region on 1 September, the powerful earthquake and the subsequent fires destroyed entire cities, leaving over 140,000 people dead. The disaster reshaped Japan’s urban landscape and exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure, leading to significant changes in disaster preparedness. Amidst the tragedy, social unrest and misinformation fuelled violent reprisals, adding to the catastrophe’s impact. Join us as we explore the destruction, aftermath, and long-term consequences of this catastrophic event.

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In Episode 32 of the 5 Minute Disasters podcast, we examine the devastating looting of the National Museum of Iraq, one of the greatest cultural losses in modern history. In April 2003, amid the chaos following the US-led invasion of Iraq, the museum was ransacked, with thousands of priceless artefacts stolen or destroyed. Treasures spanning millennia, from ancient Mesopotamian civilisations to Assyrian and Babylonian relics, were lost to looters and black-market trade. The looting highlighted the vulnerability of cultural heritage during times of war and sparked international efforts to recover stolen items. Join us as we uncover the story behind this tragic event and its lasting impact on archaeology and world history.

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An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at https://5minutedisasters.com/the-looting-of-the-national-museum-of-iraq/

Check out our other 5 Minute podcasts - 5 Minute Biographies, 5 Minute History, 5 Minute Murder, 5 Minute Mysteries, and 5 Minute Warfare at:

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