On November 10, 1940, Romania experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded in the 20th century. The quake struck at 3:39 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in the Vrancea Mountains region, at an estimated depth between 133 and 150 kilometers. According to most sources, its magnitude ranged between 7.4 and 7.7 on the Richter scale.

The most affected areas were central and southern Moldavia, as well as the northeastern part of Muntenia. Due to the political and military context of the time (Romania being involved in World War II), information regarding the number of victims and the extent of the damage was partially censored or incomplete.

What happened in Bucharest

In Bucharest, the earthquake caused significant destruction, though not as extensive as in some areas of Moldavia. Reports indicate that the Carlton Building — a 14-story reinforced concrete residential block, considered one of the tallest in the city at that time — collapsed almost entirely. According to official reports, by November 24, over 100 bodies had been recovered from the ruins.

Other important public buildings and residential structures also suffered severe damage: theaters, museums, apartment blocks, churches, and parts of the city’s infrastructure were all affected. Transportation in the capital was heavily disrupted — central boulevards were blocked by debris, and public transit was particularly impacted in the Brătianu Boulevard (today Ion C. Bălcescu) and Piața Romană areas.

The nationwide impact and aftermath

Across the country, estimates of casualties vary. Most sources mention over 1,000 dead and approximately 4,000 injured, the majority in Moldavia. The town of Panciu (Vrancea County) was reported to have been almost completely destroyed, with 90–95% of its masonry houses damaged or collapsed.

The 1940 earthquake served as a stark warning about the seismic vulnerability of Romania’s buildings, especially those constructed without proper earthquake-resistant design standards.

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The collapse of the Carlton Building in Bucharest. German troops helped rescue victims

On the morning of November 10, 1940, in just a few seconds, Bucharest was struck by one of the most tragic urban disasters in its modern history: the collapse of the Carlton Building, a symbol of interwar modernism and pride of Bucharest’s American-inspired architecture. Located in University Square, the 14-story building was regarded as a hallmark of technical progress for its time, even featuring a movie theater on the ground floor.

However, the 7.4-magnitude earthquake turned the structure into a massive pile of rubble. Inside were an estimated over 200 people, none of whom survived. The Carlton Building collapsed entirely, leaving no part of its main structure standing. The haunting image of its ruins quickly became a symbol of the capital’s fragility in the face of Vrancea’s deep earthquakes.

The causes of total collapse

The subsequent investigation by Romanian authorities revealed serious design and construction flaws. The building’s structure included columns of various shapes — some L-shaped, others circular or rectangular — that were not aligned on the same vertical axes. This structural inconsistency led to an uneven distribution of loads. Moreover, transverse beams were too thin, some measuring only 14 cm, while interior walls were just 7 cm thick, far below what was safe for a high-rise building.

The tragedy was worsened by the fact that several residents, most likely part of the technical staff, had taken shelter in the basement, where they were trapped under tons of concrete. The entire structure gave way within seconds, leaving no chance of survival for those inside.

The rescue operation – an unprecedented mobilization

Moments after the earthquake, chaos engulfed the area. Army units, gendarmes, firefighters, and police arrived quickly, forming teams that began digging through the wreckage. They were soon joined by members of the Legionary Movement, which then held executive power, as well as numerous civilians — neighbors, passers-by, and relatives of the victims.

The rescue efforts were extremely challenging. A fire broke out due to damaged electrical and gas installations, and heavy rain began to fall over the city. Despite the harsh conditions, search operations continued day and night, aided by floodlights brought in especially for nighttime work.

The involvement of German troops

At that time, Romania was under German military influence, and Wehrmacht troops were stationed in Bucharest. Among those assisting in the rescue operations were German soldiers led by Generals Speidel and Hansen, temporarily based in the capital. They provided equipment, manpower, and logistical support, actively participating in clearing the debris. Eyewitnesses recorded that German soldiers worked side by side with Romanian firefighters and troops in a desperate attempt to find survivors.

This event marked the first large-scale rescue operation ever organized in modern Romania. Despite the massive mobilization, the scale of the catastrophe was overwhelming. After several days of continuous efforts, no more survivors were found. The people of Bucharest watched in shock and grief as the ruins of the Carlton became a grim monument to the city’s vulnerability.

The aftermath and the memory of the Carlton Building

Photographs taken in the following days show not only the twisted steel and concrete heaps in University Square but also widespread damage in other neighborhoods such as Vitan and Uranus. Similar scenes were reported in other cities, including Focșani, which suffered extensive destruction.

Today, the Carlton Building no longer exists — a modern structure stands in its place. Yet its memory endures as a stark reminder of the importance of enforcing building standards and strengthening old structures in a city located within one of Europe’s most active seismic zones.

Why part of history was erased forever

Because of wartime censorship, exact data on the number of victims, damages, and rescue operations remain incomplete or contradictory. In Bucharest, reports focused mainly on high-profile sites like the Carlton Building, while destruction in less central districts received little attention or documentation.

Many press archives from November 1940 are missing or inaccessible today, making historical interpretation difficult. Numerous damaged buildings were either poorly documented or never properly reinforced afterward, leaving a lasting vulnerability in the urban fabric.

Lessons and relevance for today

The November 10, 1940 earthquake is not just a page of history — it remains a powerful reminder of what can happen when a major city has old buildings lacking modern seismic design. Entire areas of Bucharest are still considered high-risk zones.

Beyond its tragic legacy, the event underscores the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure, educate the public, and maintain transparency in disaster preparedness — lessons that remain just as vital today as they were more than eight decades ago.