16/03/2026
One of the largest hydroelectric power plant disasters in modern history.
The photo shows the destroyed turbine from Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Station in Russia.
📅 On August 17, 2009, during normal operation, a 640 MW turbine suddenly failed. Due to long-term vibrations and material fatigue, the anchor bolts holding the turbine in place broke. The enormous pressure of water literally tore the turbine out of its foundation, flooding the entire turbine hall within minutes.
⚠️ The consequences were devastating:
• 75 people lost their lives
• the power plant was heavily damaged
• repairs took several years
For perspective: the water head at this dam is almost 200 meters, and up to 700 m³ of water per second can flow through a single turbine.
The power of water is immense — and when something goes wrong, the results can be catastrophic.
