Disasters refer to significant, often sudden events that cause widespread destruction, disruption, and distress, affecting communities and individuals. These events can be natural, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, or man-made, such as industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, and nuclear incidents. Disasters typically result in loss of life, injury, property damage, and environmental degradation, and they can overwhelm the capacity of local systems to manage the consequences. The impact of a disaster is often measured in terms of the human suffering it causes, the economic costs involved, and the challenges it poses to recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Emergency response and disaster management are essential fields dedicated to preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation of these events to reduce their impact on society.
A maritime collision off Yorkshire's coast involving the MV Stena Immaculate and the cargo vessel Solong led to an explosive spill of military fuel and sodium cyanide. 37 crew members…