Deadly Disasters

In 2011, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Japan unleashed a huge Tsunami that killed more than 15,000 people. But the worst tsunami of all occurred in 2004, just a day after Christmas, when a Tsunami delivered truly unprecedented chaos and destruction to South Asia, caused the death of an estimated 280,000 people across 14 countries. Using survivor testimony and fascinating expert insights, we’ll investigate these two unimaginable tragedies.

Many of our most densely populated cities are situated on the most seismically active faults on Earth. Through descriptions of survivors and fascinating expert insights, we examine two of the most catastrophic earthquakes ever to hit populated areas; a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12, 2010, and two earthquakes in Mexico City. Deadly, very destructive and impossible to predict, earthquakes are truly one of Mother Nature's most terrifying forces.

With a combination of torrential rain, powerful winds, and devastating storm surges, Hurricanes are among Mother Nature’s most calamitous natural disasters. Experiences of eyewitnesses and reports of experts, bring us closer to two of the worst hurricanes of modern times: Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast of America in 2005, and Hurricane Maria which hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

When flames roar up to 50 meters high and temperatures soar to 1200 degrees Celsius: wildfires are among the greatest dangers nature poses to humankind. Forest fires develop with terrifying speed, reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, and engulf entire regions. The documentary explains the phenomenon using eyewitness accounts and scientific experts.

Many countries around the world are repeatedly affected by droughts. Not only does the lack of rain cause extreme water scarcity, but the excessive use of available water by the population also contributes to the problem. This documentary examines the most devastating droughts of recent decades. It looks to India, the USA, and Australia, showing how drought destroys harvests, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

Bill Gates once called them the "deadliest animal in the world": the mosquito. According to WHO estimates, around 750,000 people die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquito bites. The documentary portrays the Zika virus and malaria and shows how difficult it is to combat them: once viruses become resistant to medication, the chances of successful treatment are slim. Experts and survivors share their stories.