Top 5 Most Dangerous Tornado In The World: SHOCK Statistics

Which is the most dangerous tornado in the world? In worldwide history, there have been five largest and deadliest tornadoes. Continue reading this post to explore these devastating natural disasters.  

Find out the most dangerous tornado in the world

Daulatpur-Saturia Tornado - The most dangerous tornado in the world

• Year: 1989

• Location: Bangladesh

• Death: About 1300 deaths

• Damage: More than 20 villages were razed

                           80,000 people were homeless

                           12,000 people were injured 

The Daulatpur–Saturia tornado struck Bangladesh on April 26, 1989, and is the deadliest tornado in recorded history. 

It devastated the Manikganj district, killing around 1,300 people and injuring about 12,000. 

The tornado’s extreme intensity, estimated as an EF5 with wind speeds exceeding 200 mph (320 km/h), combined with the region’s dense population, poor construction standards, and lack of early warning systems, contributed to the massive loss of life and property.

The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of vulnerable communities to severe weather and the urgent need for better disaster preparedness.

Bangladesh Tornado damage 

Tri-State Tornado: deadliest tornado in U.S. history

• Year: March 18, 1925

• Location:  Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana

• Death: About 700 deaths

• Damage: About 15,000 homes were destroyed

                          2,000 people were injured 

                          Property damage around $16.5 million ( around $1.4 billion today)

The Tri-State tornado, which struck on March 18, 1925, is the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. 

This single tornado traveled across three states, including Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana.  

The tornado traveled an incredible distance of about 219 miles (352 km), though more recent studies have revised this to about 174 miles (280 km). 

Despite occurring long before modern meteorological technology, the tornado’s estimated wind speeds exceeded 300 mph (483 km/h), making it one of the most violent tornadoes ever recorded. 

It caused catastrophic destruction, killing nearly 700 people and destroying thousands of buildings along its path. 

The Tri-State tornado’s extraordinary length, intensity, and death toll have cemented its place as one of the worst tornadoes in US history.

The devastating Tri-State tornado

Faridpur District tornado - Bangladesh

• Year: April 17, 1973

• Location:  Manikganj, Dahaka district, Bangladesh

• Death: 681 deaths

• Damage: About 15,000 homes were destroyed

                          More than 1,000 people were injured 

On April 17, 1973, a devastating tornado swept through the Faridpur District in Bangladesh, southwest of Dhaka. 

Rated F4 on the Fujita scale, the wind speed was more than 200mph, making this tornado one of the deadliest in global history.

The twister carved a destructive path across nearly 10 villages, featuring a rare multiple-vortex structure that merged into a single, enormous funnel.

Casualty estimates range from 681 (official) to nearly 1,000 (unofficial), with around 1,000 people injured and approximately 15,000 affected. 

In Balurchar, the prime minister noted, “not a single dwelling was traceable,” and reports describe boats lofted over 1,000 m by the wind.

The Faridpur District tornado destroyed homes and properties in Manikganj

Dhaka Tornado - Bangladesh

• Year: April 14, 1969

• Location:  Dhaka district, Bangladesh

• Death: 660 deaths

• Damage: More than 4,000 people were injured 

The Dhaka tornado struck on April 14, 1969, devastating areas near the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). 

Believed to be an F3 to F4 tornado, it tore through the suburbs of Savar and Mohammadpur, killing approximately 660 people and injuring over 4,000. 

Entire villages were flattened, and thousands of homes were destroyed in a matter of minutes. 

With limited forecasting tools and no warning systems in place, the tornado caught communities by surprise. 

The Dhaka tornado remains one of the deadliest in world history, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to severe convective storms even outside typical tornado-prone zones.

The tornado left behind loss of life and property, and collapsed houses

Find out more useful information about tornadoes:

► Tornado vs Hurricane: What's the difference? Which is more dangerous?

► Types of tornadoes

► Tornado safety tips while driving

Grand Harbour tornado

• Year: September 23, 1551

• Location:  Dhaka district, Bangladesh

• Death: 600+ deaths

• Damage: More than 4,000 people were injured 

The Grand Harbour tornado in Malta, which occurred on September 23 (either in 1551 or 1556, as sources vary), was one of the deadliest tornadoes in history. 

It began as a powerful waterspout over the Grand Harbour and struck with intense force.

It caused the capsizing of at least four galleys of the Order of St. John—Santa Fè, San Michele, San Filippo, and San Claudio. 

The tornado, rated around F3 on the Fujita scale, killed an estimated 600 people, many of whom drowned as ships were overturned. 

This catastrophic event devastated the harbor area and remains a significant historical natural disaster in Malta’s history.

The disastrous tornado in Malta 

How to stay safe during a Tornado?

One of the best Tornado Safety Tips is to stay calm. When a tornado warning is issued or you see signs of an approaching tornado, you need to make quick, effective decisions. 

If you are panicked, you can get confused and make bad judgments, increasing the risk of injury. 

Staying calm also helps you assist others, especially children or elderly family members. 

Besides, you also keep in mind several simple but important safety tips below.

Tornado safety tips you should remember

Conclusion

You have explored the top 5 most dangerous tornado in the world. Tornadoes like the 1989 Daulatpur–Saturia tornado in Bangladesh and the Tri-State tornado in the U.S. stand out as stark reminders of nature’s destructive power. Looking back these devastating disasters can help us realize the drawbacks and have better solutions to reduce tornado damage.