World's Deadliest Natural Disasters

Between 2010 and 2019, approximately 60,000 people died annually worldwide due to natural disasters. This represents 0.1% of total global deaths.

Earthquakes were the deadliest natural disaster in the last decade, claiming 267,480 lives globally.

Indonesia has also experienced numerous devastating earthquakes throughout its history.

The largest earthquake occurred on December 26, 2004, striking the island of Sumatra, particularly Aceh. This 9.0 Richter scale earthquake triggered a tsunami with waves reaching 30 meters high.

Besides earthquakes, extreme weather and floods also caused thousands of deaths worldwide, claiming 74,244 and 50,673 lives respectively during the last decade.

Historically, droughts and floods have been the most fatal natural disasters. However, deaths from these events are relatively low compared to earthquakes, which remain the deadliest natural disaster by far.

Details of natural disaster casualties by type:

1. Earthquakes: 267,480 lives
2. Extreme Weather: 74,244 lives
3. Floods: 50,673 lives
4. Storms: 27,632 lives
5. Droughts: 20,120 lives
6. Landslides: 10,109 lives
7. Volcanic Activity: 1,363 lives
8. Wildfires: 881 lives
9. Mass Movement: 100 lives

(Also read: [Link to article about 26 damaging earthquakes in 2021])