1944 Bombay explosion

The 1944 Bombay explosion, also known as the Bombay Dock Explosion, occurred on April 14, 1944, in the docks of Bombay (now Mumbai), India, during World War II. The disaster arose from the explosion of four ships—SS Fort Stikine, SS Daryaganj, SS Samaria, and SS Don Esteban—while they were docked, resulting in widespread devastation. The SS Fort Stikine, laden with explosives, cotton bales, and other flammable materials, detonated, causing a catastrophic blast that led to significant loss of life and property. Estimates of casualties vary widely, with reports suggesting that over 1,000 people perished and thousands more were injured. The explosion inflicted severe damage on the surrounding infrastructure, including nearby buildings and ships, marking it as one of the deadliest maritime disasters in India's history.