Circus fire in northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, in the Sapporo locality, June 1959 - woman helping children evacuate. Elephant trampling and running - injuring 40, no deaths. Fire burning down tents, circus razed in minutes, no deaths caused by fire. CU of spectators watching the damage. Typhoon Vera in Central Japan, September 1959 - 5,000 deaths, 1.5 million homeless. Overhead shot of damage. French Riveria - Malpasset Dam, on the Reyran River, collapse, December 1959. Wall of water buried town of Fréjus. Overhead shot of houses swept off foundations, cars overturne. CU of families mourning over 200 caskets. Hawaii Kilauea Iki volcano erupts, November-December 1959. CU of eruption and ensuing lava floes.