Major global disasters caused by construction mistakes or structural failures from 2020 to late 2025 include notable incidents such as the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in the U.S. and the Gambhira Bridge collapse in India. Many other smaller-scale building failures have occurred worldwide, often attributed to poor construction materials, failure to adhere to building codes, and inadequate maintenance.
Building and Structure Collapses
Champlain Towers South Condominium Collapse (Surfside, Florida, USA, June 2021)
On June 24, 2021, a partial collapse occurred at the Champlain Towers South, a 12-story reinforced concrete residential condominium in Surfside, Florida. The disaster resulted in 98 fatalities. Investigations identified several long-term structural issues, notably flaws in the original design of the pool deck slab and a lack of adequate reinforcement in the support columns. These were compounded by progressive concrete deterioration due to water intrusion and deferred maintenance. A 2018 engineering report had already flagged major structural damage, but necessary repairs had not commenced at the time of collapse. The failure mode was a punching shear failure, which triggered a progressive collapse of the building section.
Building Collapses in Nigeria (2020–2025)
Nigeria continues to experience a high rate of building collapses, with Lagos State being the most affected region. Between 2020 and mid-2025, Nigeria recorded numerous collapses resulting from substandard materials, non-compliance with building codes, and unqualified construction personnel. Despite COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, there were 45 reported collapses nationwide, with Lagos accounting for nearly 40% of these.
The year 2022 saw the highest number recorded with 62 incidents, including the tragic collapse of a 21-story building in Lagos on November 1, 2021, which caused 52 deaths—the tallest building collapse in Nigerian history. Through May 2025, there were already 13 recorded collapses for the year, with Lagos reporting 7 incidents. Overall, from 1974 to 2025, Nigeria has seen 653 building collapse incidents causing at least 1,616 deaths, showing a persistent and alarming trend.
Icheon Warehouse Fire (Icheon, South Korea, April 2020)
A fire exploded during the basement construction work of a logistics warehouse in Icheon, South Korea, in April 2020. The explosion led to a devastating fire causing the deaths of at least 38 workers. This incident highlighted severe safety protocol failures during the construction phase, underscoring the dangers of inadequate onsite safety management and fire prevention measures [user input confirmed].
Dharali Landslides (Uttarakhand, India, August 2025)
Although primarily a natural landslide event, the Dharali landslide in Uttarakhand was analyzed in the context of nearby construction and infrastructure projects that might have compromised soil and slope stability. Authorities continue to assess human activity’s role in exacerbating risks in such vulnerable areas [user input].
Bridge Failures
Gambhira Bridge Collapse (Gujarat, India, July 2025)
The Gambhira Bridge, a 40-year-old structure in Gujarat, India, partially collapsed during peak traffic in July 2025, causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Mahi River. The tragedy resulted in at least 22 deaths and several injuries. Investigations attributed the collapse primarily to structural failure exacerbated by decades of heavy traffic load and inadequate maintenance. It reflects broader issues in India where, historically, over 2,130 bridges have collapsed from 1977 to 2017 due mainly to natural disasters (80.3%), material deterioration (10.1%), and overloading (3.28%).
Yellowstone River Train Derailment (Montana, USA, June 2023)
In June 2023, a freight train derailed following the failure of the bridge it was crossing over the Yellowstone River in Montana. Several train cars carrying hazardous materials fell into the river. While an official cause is under investigation, bridge failures of this nature are often linked to factors such as erosion of the riverbed beneath the structure, insufficient design to handle current load levels, and possibly deferred maintenance.
