From catastrophic pipeline explosions to industrial plant fires and fuel tanker disasters, the first half of 2025 witnessed a spate of serious workplace and energy-related incidents across the globe.

These accidents have raised concerns over ageing infrastructure, weak regulatory oversight, and the growing risk posed by climate volatility and hazardous materials.

Below is a curated list of the year’s most notable events so far, offering key insights for health, safety and environment (HSE) professionals.

1. Suleja fuel tanker explosion (Nigeria, January 18, 2025): An overturned tanker exploded while locals collected spilled fuel, killing over 100 and injuring at least 69.

2. Moss landing battery fire (California, US, January 31, 2025): A lithium-ion battery blaze at a power plant led to a mass evacuation amid toxic smoke, with no injuries reported.

3. Hayes substation fire (London, UK, March 20, 2025): A cooling oil fire disrupted power supply to Heathrow Airport, halting over 1,000 flights and affecting 200,000 travellers.

4. Tanker collision and jet fuel fire (North Sea, UK, March 10, 2025): A cargo ship struck a jet-fuel tanker, triggering a massive sea fire and a plastic spill; one crew member is missing.

5. AGIL gas depot blast (Tunisia, March 14, 2025): A gas leak caused an explosion at a storage depot near Tunis, injuring 35 and sending four to intensive care.

6. Boiler explosion at factory (India, March 28, 2025): A rubber factory boiler failed due to ignored warning signs, killing three workers and injuring one.

7. Coal mine blast (Spain, March 31, 2025): Five miners were killed and four injured in a firedamp explosion underground, raising safety concerns in the region.

8. Putra Heights pipeline fire (Malaysia, April 1, 2025): A ruptured Petronas gas pipeline ignited into a 30 m fireball, injuring 150 and damaging hundreds of homes and vehicles.

9. Isfahan chemical factory explosion (Iran, April 29, 2025): A gunpowder warehouse blast at a chemical plant killed two workers and injured two others.

10. Sigachi Pharma plant explosion (India, June 30, 2025): An explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana killed 46, injured 33, and left 8 missing – India’s worst industrial disaster this year.