October 16, 1981 (Friday)
- In Japan's worst mining disaster, methane gas explosions at the Hokkaido Steamship and Colliery operation at Yūbari, Hokkaidō, killed 93 coal miners. The blast occurred while the men were 1,900 feet underground.
- Died: Moshe Dayan, 66, Israeli general, Defense Minister 1967-74, Foreign Minister 1977-79
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