February 2002 Disasters

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

• Feb. 9 et seq., southern Calif.: More than 5,400 acres were burned in 2 separate brush fires, one near Fallbrook, north of San Diego, and the other outside Anaheim. About 40 buildings (including 30 residences) and 2 fire engines were destroyed by the Fallbrook blaze.
• Feb. 12, western Iran: Iranian airliner en route from Teheran to Khorramabad crashed into a mountain while trying to land, killing all 118 aboard. Overcast or foggy conditions may have contributed to the crash.
• Feb. 19, La Paz, Bolivia: Heavy rains collapsed scores of homes and caused flash flooding in the city, resulting in 69 deaths and approximately $60 million in damage.
• Feb. 20, nr. Ayyat, Egypt: 361 people were killed in a fire aboard a crowded passenger train. The fire was reportedly started after a gas cylinder used for cooking exploded. The train, which was en route from Cairo to Luxor, was filled with holiday celebrants heading to their home villages for the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha. It is Egypt's worst train disaster.

See also Major Earthquakes Around the World 2002

See also Recent Volcanic Activity