A Dam Built in a Dangerous Valley
The Vajont Dam, completed in 1960 in northern Italy, was one of the tallest dams in the world. Built in a narrow valley, it was designed to generate hydroelectric power. However, geologists had warned that the surrounding Monte Toc mountain was unstable, posing a serious risk.
A Landslide into the Reservoir
On October 9, 1963, after weeks of heavy rain, a massive landslide of 270 million cubic meters of rock detached from Monte Toc and crashed into the reservoir at 100 km/h. The impact sent a 250-meter-high wave over the dam, displacing nearly all the water.
A Deadly Wave
The floodwater surged over the dam and rushed down the valley at nearly 50 meters per second. Within minutes, the towns of Longarone, Pirago, and other nearby villages were destroyed. The force of the wave flattened buildings and swept away everything in its path.
Thousands Lost in Minutes
More than 2,000 people lost their lives. Despite the destruction, the dam itself remained standing. Investigations later revealed that warnings about the instability of the mountain had been ignored, making this one of the deadliest dam-related disasters in history.
On October 9, 1963, disaster struck northern Italy when a massive wave swept through the Vajont Valley. In seconds, villages were destroyed, and thousands died. The Vajont Dam remained intact, but a landslide displaced nearly all the water in its reservoir.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/3oYlNPv2jy
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 30, 2025