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A ferry capsizes on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, leaving at least 97 people dead.
- On 11 August 2026, the passenger ferry Mbuya Nehanda capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. At least 97 people died, making it the deadliest boat disaster in the country's history. The ferry, which was operated by Zimbabwe's Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, provided a transport link between Kariba and the rural community of Chalala. It was carrying at least 114 adults, 5 crew members and an unspecified number of children, despite an authorised passenger capacity of 90; some reports placed the total number aboard at as many as 153.
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A magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Chocó Department, Colombia, leaving at least 319 people dead.
- On 10 August 2026, a Mw 7.4–7.5 earthquake struck the department of Chocó in Colombia, killing at least 329 people, injuring more than 4,600 others, leaving 247 confirmed missing and causing extensive damage across the country. The earthquake was felt across much of western and central Colombia and in parts of neighbouring Ecuador and Panama, and caused extensive damage in Cali, Pereira, Quibdó, Manizales, Armenia, Buenaventura, and other areas.
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Shootings at a residence and a school in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, leave at least nine people dead.
- On 7 August 2026, a school shooting occurred at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai, Nonthaburi, Thailand. Patchata Yimruang, a 14-year-old student, killed six people and injured at least twenty-three others before killing himself. Patchata had also shot and killed his two grandparents in Bang Bua Thong prior to the shooting.
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Iran war (ongoing)
- Since 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel have been at war with Iran and its regional allies. Hostilities broke out after US–Israeli airstrikes killed several Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The strikes were launched amid ongoing US–Iran negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program.
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Lebanon war (ongoing)
- Since 2 March 2026, there has been an ongoing war in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, with Israel invading parts of Lebanon. It is a resumption of major fighting in the Hezbollah–Israel conflict, and part of the wider conflict in the Middle East. The war has precipitated a humanitarian crisis, resulted in the deaths of more than 4,000 people from Israeli strikes in Lebanon, and seen the forced displacement of over 1 million.
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Russo-Ukrainian war (ongoing)
- On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, in a major escalation of the existing war between the two countries that began when Russia attacked Ukraine in 2014. The fighting has caused hundreds of thousands of military casualties and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties. As of August 2026, Russian troops occupy roughly 20% of Ukraine. From a population of 41 million, about 8 million Ukrainians have been internally displaced and 6–7 million have fled the country, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II.
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