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The Top 5 Deadliest Avalanches and Mudslides in History

  Location Date Type Estimated Number of Deaths
1 Western Iran Jun 20, 1990. Landslide(s) 40,000 to 50,000
2 Yungay, Peru May 31, 1970 Landslide 20,000
3 The Swiss Alps Oct, 218 B.C. Avalanche(s) 18,000 (Hannibals army)
4 Huarz, Peru Dec 13th, 1941 Avalanche 6,000
5 Nevada Huascaran, Peru Jan 10th, 1962 Avalanche 3, 500
Sources:  Various.

List Notes: For the purposes of this list one landslide listed can actually be a series of more than one events.
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  1. Landslides and avalanches are usually secondary effects of primary events such as an earthquake, flood or deforestation.
  2. The landslide deaths in the Swiss Alps from Hannibal's army while crossing the mountain range is estimated. Many of the soldiers undoubtedly died from other causes related to cold. It is difficult to determine exactly how many died from avalanches directly.