There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad-free.

Listen with Wondry Plus in the Wondry app.

As a member of NoisorPlus at noisor.com or in Apple Podcasts,

or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com.

Thank you. It's 5 p.m. on the evening of October 9, 1963, in Longarone, a small village in the Piavi Valley in the Italian Alps. Twelve-year-old Mikaela Coletti tries to enjoy a quiet dinner with her family, but there's

tension in the air.

Rumors have been circulating around town about serious problems at the Biont Dam, where her

father works.

Three years ago, the dam was built in an area prone to landslides, and many speculate that

disaster is just around the corner. Over dinner,

the discussion between Michaela's parents turns heated. Her mother ominously suggests that it

might be better to send the kids away, but her father disagrees. He slams his fist on the table

and declares that if the dam collapses and the family must die, it would be

better to die together. Terrified, Michaela stays silent as her father abruptly stands up and walks

out the front door, headed to the dam for a late shift. Mikaela wordlessly helps her mother clear

the table before walking to her room. As the hour grows late, she gets into bed

and pretends to sleep, waiting for her mother to come kiss her good night. But before her mother can

arrive, Michaela jolts upright at what sounds like a large thunder clap, followed by an odd rumbling.

As the sound grows louder, Michaela's grandmother enters the room and tells her a storm must be approaching.

She closes the shutters on Michaela's window, and at that exact moment, all the lights in the house go out.

Then, without warning, Michaela feels her bed shuddered.

The floor is yanked out from under her, and suddenly she's thrust high into the air

...