Top 10 Worst Things that Happened in 2023

After last year's list set a record for most items, time can only tell if this list will beat it. But with Damar Hamlin nearly dying, an even more contagious form of COVID, and other major events, this may very well give 2022 a run for its money.

The Top Ten

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Continues

It is the new beginning of Russian fascism. It is the beginning of the end of peace since the dissolution of the USSR, and the Third World War is drawing near.

Ukraine is in such a terrible crisis because of Russia. There's no way we can see this end right on time.
7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Turkey & Syria

On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey near the Syrian border. The quake killed tens of thousands of people and flattened wide areas of cities in both Turkey and Syria.

Never have we thought something this bad would happen at such a rate so early in 2023. Turkey and Syria were struck by an earthquake of magnitude 7.8. This was tied with the 1939 earthquake in Erzincan as Turkey's most violent in modern history. It was also its deadliest since 526 in Antioch, as well as Syria's deadliest since 1822 in Aleppo. A magnitude 7.7 aftershock followed.
The damage was historic, and a fault fracture stretching over 190 miles formed. It was deadlier than anything else in the 2020s, besides COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Many other earthquakes of this magnitude weren't nearly this bad. However, Turkey and Syria lack proper infrastructure to withstand such magnitudes and were not prepared at all. Rest in peace to all the lives lost, and prayers to their families and all the people suffering. This is definitely going to be remembered.
October Hamas Attack on Israel

I've been monitoring my monthly top 10 list before releasing it this December, and now with this event, it could very well be the #2 event (Russia vs. Ukraine is still top for obvious reasons). However, Hamas, not wanting to be outdone by their last attack a year ago, does something abhorrent, surprising Israel and slaughtering civilians. Videos of the incident have surfaced quickly, and these incidents have spread even to Alexandria, Egypt, where tourists were killed. I definitely stand with Israel in their soon-to-be retaliation, but we'll be seeing just how crazy this is going. Many people on social media say that what is happening right now is leading humanity closer to World War III more than ever.
Hawaiian Wildfires

Hawaii's historic cities are on fire, including Lahaina in Maui. Yet these are worsened by Hurricane Dora. The death toll is historic for Hawaii. This is believed to be Hawaii's deadliest natural disaster ever recorded.

Wow, first Canada and now Hawaii had some horrific wildfires this year! I was there last year and it was such a beautiful place, and it's super sad to see this paradise go up in flames!
Toxic Chemical Explosion in East Palestine, Ohio

On February 3, 2023, a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The chemicals that spilled and were later burned include vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate and isobutylene. The burning of some chemicals was done to avoid an explosion. Residents have been told it's safe to return home, but there are concerns about lingering exposure in the air, water and soil.

This made us rethink the use of many of our products.
The main chemical released in this accident was vinyl chloride (VC), the same substance that makes up polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is what vinyl records, water pipes, beach balls, exercise balls, shower curtains, yoga mats, and many of our childhood toys like rubber ducks and our favorite dolls are made of.
Vinyl chloride is a beauty and a beast: a sweet-smelling gas that poses a cancer risk, and is highly flammable and toxic to our environment.
When you smell your vinyl items, you're smelling the gas coming out, which puts you at risk of cancers. My dad once brought home an exercise ball. He was fuming and asked me if he was going to blow it up when I told him he was putting both himself and me at risk of cancers, like he didn't care about either of us getting it when the concentration of the gas was high, emitting a strong smell.
Thankfully, no one was killed, but it dumped 100,000 gallons of toxic materials including VC.
Submarine Man Releases Palace of Feet
Allen, Texas Mall Shooting

A Neo-Nazi shot and killed 9 people, including a 5-year-old. How much more carnage has to be spilled before the government wakes up and starts cracking down on gun enthusiasts?
Palácio do Planalto Invasion

On January 8, 2023, a mob of Jair Bolsonaro supporters invaded and vandalized the Supreme Federal Court, the National Congress building and the Planalto Presidential Palace in Brasília. They sought to overthrow the democratically elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Hundreds of years of Brazilian history, ever since Brazil was an empire in the 19th century, have been ruined by a bunch of mentally ill "patriotic" lunatics who worship a demon that ruined the image of Brazil around the world. The fact that the damage done to some historical items in Congress is irreparable is just unbelievable. It's gotten so bad that it's considered a "terrorist attack" by various news sources. Not even Trump supporters went that far.
The worst part is that there are millions here in Brazil who support this brainless and unnecessary terrorist attack. And no, this isn't a joke. The lunatics are getting praised for this attack, and many people are asking to free them from prison because they did not deserve it.
Damar Hamlin Goes Into Cardiac Arrest During a Game

Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a game. He likely experienced a rare complication called commotio cordis where a blow to the chest disrupts the heart's rhythm.

It was a very scary situation for the entire NFL. This situation was completely unprecedented. The entire football world just stopped when this happened.
The game itself was postponed and then canceled. Thankfully, he is recovering well, and a silver lining for this moment is that his charity GoFundMe raised over 8 million dollars.
Plane Crash in Nepal Kills 68 People

A Yeti Airlines plane crashed near Pokhara International Airport while trying to land. It was carrying 68 passengers and 4 crew members. At least 68 people were killed in the crash.

Prayers to the families of all the people involved.

The Newcomers

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Death of Bobbie Jean Carter

This was just over a year after Aaron Carter's death. The whole family has problems, after all. Only 41? Rest in peace (1982-2023).
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Charles University Shooting

It's not just the USA that has horrible mass shootings. The Czech Republic just had its deadliest attack in modern history at Charles University in Prague. The gunman killed 14 people and injured around 25 more, as well as killing his father earlier that day before taking his own life.
This just goes to show that any country, even those considered among the safest - like the Czech Republic - isn't safe from these kinds of shootings.

The Contenders

Odisha, India Train Collision

This was the deadliest train accident for the world since 2004 and for India since 1999. As many as 296 people were reportedly killed and around 1,200 were hurt. Three trains in Odisha, India, collided on June 2nd. A signal error was originally believed to be the cause, but they found no evidence and eventually blamed it on human error. A seriously devastating day for India. Prayers to the families of all the victims. May they rest in peace.
2 Magnitude 6.3 Earthquakes Strike Herat, Afghanistan

After Turkey, Syria, and Morocco, Afghanistan falls victim to earthquakes. Four of them, and they were all magnitude 6.3. The first two occurred around 31 minutes apart on October 7th, and the third quake struck on the 11th, while the fourth quake hit on the 15th. It shows you how poor Afghanistan's infrastructure is, leaving them unprepared for earthquakes that aren't seriously strong in their terms. Thousands of people lost their lives. Yet, these were Afghanistan's deadliest since May 30th, 1998. Yet, this was during the Hamas attacks in Israel. Prayers for everybody and their families.
Nashville Elementary School Shooting

Babies should live and grow old and have more babies. Jesus is crying over this hateful crime perpetrated by a sick, hateful person who had no grasp on who they were or who God intended them to be.

At what point are more people going to see the unbelievable number of mass shootings in America and think, "Hmm, maybe we should have better gun restrictions?"

Why the hell are these school shootings still happening in the USA? There should be stricter gun laws in the future. I can't believe these are still occurring nowhere but in the US. Rest in peace to the victims killed in the shooting.
Rise of the BQ.1.1 Covid Variant

BQ.1 and its descendant BQ.1.1 were COVID variants that made up more than 10% of new infections across the country in early 2023. They outpaced many rival strains in European nations before eventually declining in prevalence. These variants were notable for their ability to evade immunity from prior vaccinations and infections.

I have to admit I've long lost track of the many Covid variants. Fortunately, although most of them become even more contagious and hard to defend against, the newer variants at least mostly aren't more severe when you get them. In fact, some of them are less likely to cause serious harm. I'm not trying to dismiss the threat, by the way. I still think we need to remain careful.

Too bad China's isolation didn't help resolve this but made it spread more. Viruses must have something or someone to approach. Yet it's said to be the most transmissible and immune-evading variant yet. Sounds scary, right?
3 Teenage Girls Tortured and Stabbed a 13 Year Old Girl in Noosa, Australia

How sick are these people? They had problems and didn't get the help they needed. Violence is wrong, and bullying only makes problems worse.
Lithuania-Latvia Pipe Explosion

On January 13, 2023, a gas pipeline connecting Lithuania and Latvia exploded in northern Lithuania. There was no evidence of an attack. The supply of gas was cut off but was later restored using an unaffected parallel pipeline.

A pipe at the Lithuania-Latvia factory exploded. Thankfully, no fatalities are known. It was a truly scary day for the countries.
California Floods

Heavy rainfall caused by multiple atmospheric rivers in California between December 31, 2022, and January 25, 2023, resulted in widespread floods. A subsequent levee failure on the Pajaro River in Monterey County triggered massive flooding in March and prompted hundreds of evacuations and water rescues. These historic storms caused billions of dollars in damage but helped alleviate the state's severe drought conditions.

This has been happening since late 2022. Storms are hitting California and flooding its cities. Prayers to all the people and their families.
Bus Crash in Hunter Valley, Australia
Bill Gates Warns Everyone About a New Pandemic

Last month, Bill Gates warned all governments that a new man-made virus, worse than COVID-19, will take over the world in around 20 years. The chances of this happening are around 50%.

This man is making people turn into either conspiracy theorists or conspiracy debunkers. He's an absolute madman.

Bill Gates invented the Blue Screen of Death. Keep that in mind.
Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Hits Marrakesh-Safi in Morocco

Another deadly earthquake hit a popular town. Marrakesh-Safi in Morocco was hit by a magnitude 6.8 quake, damaging many buildings and killing 2,960 people.
It's the largest earthquake for Morocco after February 28, 1969, and the deadliest since February 29, 1960, as well as the world's deadliest earthquake after Turkey's and Syria's seven months beforehand. Prayers to all the families and friends, and R.I.P. to those victims.

Just like the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, this is absolutely devastating. Can you imagine if an earthquake occurs out of nowhere and you are a victim of it? Earthquakes are just horrible.
In the meantime, can't people remove Submarine Man from this list already? This site is definitely invaded by immature and ignorant people who only vote for trivial things. Grow up or leave. ht's retirement definitely killed this site for good. ~ TheSinisterAura
Joe Biden Launches His 2024 Re-Election Campaign

70% of people in a recent NBC poll say they do not want Joe Biden. However, if you were to poll a good chunk of the nation, including some of his former voters, they don't want him either. Many people believe that he has no idea what he's doing or going to do. Additionally, many people also want fresh, new, young blood in the White House.
If this is really the best Democrats have to offer, then it shows they are outdated. Or, they genuinely want a man who has a high chance of collapsing to actually collapse the nation intentionally. Do better, Democrats.

This could be a very good thing (unlikely), or it could be a very bad thing. We're at the point where it's not too far-fetched to say that a vote for Joe Biden is a vote for Kamala Harris.
Australia's Cost of Living Crisis

This is causing hundreds of people to become homeless because of ever-growing rent costs. It is really bad.
93% of Baltimore Third-Through Eighth-Graders Revealed to Have Tested Below Their Grade Level in Math

It's a crime against parents and taxpayers, and they really failed everyone in the name of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Love is not complicated.

Sadly, people aren't learning well enough. Work harder, people.
Bushfire Season Starts in Australia

You heard that right, bushfire season is starting, and bushfires are already starting to flare up all over Australia.
Brovary Helicopter Crash

On January 18, 2023, a helicopter crashed into a kindergarten in Brovary, Ukraine. The crash killed at least 14 people and injured 25 others. Among the passengers were Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrsky and other top officials.