New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time of joy and celebration, but over the last 25 years, some festivities around the world have ended in tragedy. From violent attacks to deadly stampedes and fires, these incidents have overshadowed what is normally a night of celebration.

In 2025, a vehicle attack in New Orleans killed 14 people and injured 30 others, with the suspect reportedly inspired by ISIS. In 2017, a shooting at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub left 39 dead and nearly 80 injured, with the Islamic State claiming responsibility. In 2004, a bomb exploded during a New Year’s concert in Aceh, Indonesia, killing 12 and wounding 32.

Crowd-related accidents have also proven deadly. In 2023, ten young people died in a stampede in Kampala, Uganda, while in 2015, 36 were killed in Shanghai. Similar incidents occurred in Côte d’Ivoire and Angola in 2013, resulting in dozens of fatalities.

Fire-related disasters have also claimed many lives. In 2001, 14 people died in a café fire in Volendam, Netherlands, caused by fireworks igniting Christmas decorations. In 2009, a Bangkok nightclub fire killed 66 and injured over 200 during a rock concert, again triggered by pyrotechnics.