mmalabanan
Inevitably, we hear terrible news every year. This year is no exception- the news of an airplane missing, a beloved comedian hanging himself, and the worst viral outbreak in history literally shook our world this 2014.
We’re hoping that 2015 will be less tragic than this year. Here are 10 of the most shocking events of 2014.
1. MH370 and MH17
One plane went missing while the other one was accidentally shot down in Ukraine. Indeed, 2014 is the worst year for Malaysian airlines.
In March, Malaysian Airlines flight 370 vanished somewhere over the Gulf of Thailand. The Kuala Lumpur to Beijing flight had 239 passengers on board. Up until now, there still no sign of the plane’s wreckage although experts believe the plane crashed somewhere in Indian ocean.
Barely four months after the incident, Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 which carried 298 passengers was taken down by surface-to-air missile while flying over Ukranian territory. Russian separatists in the area were pinpointed for the tragic shooting.
2. Ebola Virus
Considered the worst Ebola virus outbreak in history, the current epidemic which started in Guinea almost a year ago has taken almost 7,000 lives according to the latest death poll of the World Health Organization. The worst-hit countries include West African countries Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Currently, there is no known vaccine to treat the deadly virus but early supportive care improves the survival rate of infected individuals. Check out 10 things you need to know about the deadly virus here.
3. The Polar Vortex
Some parts of the United States and Canada reached its record low temperatures for several weeks. The unusual harsh winter was brought about by the “polar vortex” which affected more than 200 million people.
4. Islamic State Terror Attacks
Terror engulfed Iraq and Syria as radical militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) carried out massive horrific attacks on civilians including women and children in order to make a broader Islamic caliphate. Several beheading videos executed by the terror group were even released to the public.
5. Ferry Sinking in South Korea
Around 290 people, mostly high school students from Danwon High School, tragically died from the sinking of South Korean ferry MV Sewol en route from Incheon to Jeju . Based on investigations, the ferry capsized due to the uncontrolled cargo shift while it was in transit.
6. Suicide of Robin Williams
The beloved American comedian won our hearts in his films The Bicentennial Man, The Dead Poet’s Society, Patch Adams, and many others. Sadly, we won’t be seeing any of William’s future works as the actor hanged himself using a belt at his home in California. According to the autopsy, Williams didn’t take illegal drugs or alcohol at the time he committed suicide but was discovered to have lewy body dementia, a condition which can actually lead to hallucinations.
7. CIA Torture Tactics Revealed
The US Senate Intelligence Committee’s disturbing report on the Central Intelligence Agency’s torture tactics to 9/11 suspects enraged people from all over the world including US president Barack Obama. The brutal interrogation techniques, which proved to be ineffective, include waterboarding, sleep deprivation, rectal feeding, confinement to small spaces, as well as different forms of physical and sexual abuse. You can check out other details of the report here.
8. Blood Moon
The series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses started in April 15 this year, which was followed by a second one on the nights of` October 7 and 8. The next in lunar tetrad is expected to happen on April next year. It’s a relatively rare event as only seven more will occur in this century. As for astronomers, the term “blood moon” has no relevance but many attribute the moniker to the fact that total lunar eclipse can actually change the moon’s colour from rusty orange to bloody red or black.
9. Crimean Crisis
Just a few days after Crimean President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted, armed gunmen which were later identified as Russian military forces took over government buildings in Crimea. The peninsula was forcefully but non-violently put under the military occupation of Russia. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in March this year ended the 2014 Crimean crisis, a dispute between the latter and Ukraine.
10. School Shooting Incidents in US
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, more and more shooting spree occurred inside schools in US. As a matter of fact, two separate incidents made it to our list this year.
Elliot Rodger, a 22-year-old student caused an uproar in the UC Santa Barbara campus leaving 6 people dead including himself and 13 others injured. Prior to his rampage, Rodger uploaded a disturbing video of himself discussing his killing spree plans. He even sent a manifesto via email to his family and friends.
A 15-year-old student of Reynolds high school shot a fellow student and injured a P.E. teacher in June this year. The young gunman, who hid his weapon inside a guitar case, eventually took his own life after exchanging gun fire with police officers.
