Deadly Disasters

When flames roar up to 50 meters high and temperatures soar to 1200 degrees Celsius: wildfires are among the greatest dangers nature poses to humankind. Forest fires develop with terrifying speed, reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, and engulf entire regions. The documentary explains the phenomenon using eyewitness accounts and scientific experts.

Many countries around the world are repeatedly affected by droughts. Not only does the lack of rain cause extreme water scarcity, but the excessive use of available water by the population also contributes to the problem. This documentary examines the most devastating droughts of recent decades. It looks to India, the USA, and Australia, showing how drought destroys harvests, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

Bill Gates once called them the "deadliest animal in the world": the mosquito. According to WHO estimates, around 750,000 people die every year from diseases transmitted by mosquito bites. The documentary portrays the Zika virus and malaria and shows how difficult it is to combat them: once viruses become resistant to medication, the chances of successful treatment are slim. Experts and survivors share their stories.

Earthquakes have immense consequences, causing cities to collapse and leading to mass homelessness. It makes no difference whether they claim thousands of lives in Los Angeles, California, or in L'Aquila, Italy.

Water is essential for human survival. However, it can also be destructive. Raging torrents and all-consuming floods are particularly dangerous, often causing people to lose everything they own.

In 2010, a volcano on Sumatra awoke after 400 years of dormancy. The eruption of this giant volcano caused the Indonesian islanders to fight for their lives, plunging them into fear and terror.

In the Alps, avalanches repeatedly broke loose during the 1950s, causing many deaths. More than 250 people lost their lives in the so-called avalanche winter when the enormous masses of snow thundered down the mountainsides.

El Niño is a complex weather phenomenon that occurs irregularly every two to three years. It triggers global disasters: hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Entire regions are destroyed, and thousands of people lose their lives. This documentary examines when and how this phenomenon triggered some of the deadliest tragedies and shows how it ravaged Peru, Africa, and Great Britain in the past.

Tropical cyclones form through an unfortunate interplay of forces over water and are responsible for some of the most catastrophic weather events in history. The destructive winds and torrential rain reach gigantic proportions. This documentary focuses on the most devastating cyclones, giving a voice to eyewitnesses and experts, and offering a uniquely intimate look at these storms.

Every continent has experienced this terrible phenomenon at some point in its history: famine. Thousands of people have died. And even today, many countries still live with this terrible tragedy. The documentary shows how hunger threatens the world today and how it particularly ravages Africa. It also explores the complex interplay of factors that trigger famines.