Nine Countries At Risk Of Being Struck By ‘City-Destroying’ Asteroid That Could Hit In 2032

Experts have identified asteroid ‘2024 YR4’ as a potential threat, with a 1 in 43 chance of striking Earth in 2032. The asteroid, roughly the size of the Statue of Liberty, could cause devastation comparable to 8 million tons of TNT, affecting an area of about 30 miles. NASA engineer David Rankin has mapped a “risk corridor” spanning northern South America, the Pacific Ocean, southern Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa. The nine countries most at risk include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Dr. Robin George Andrews, author of How to Kill an Asteroid, warns that efforts to redirect it, such as using NASA’s DART mission, could backfire. If broken into fragments, the asteroid might still strike Earth in unpredictable locations. Additionally, with limited time before another Earth flyby in 2028, any deflection attempts must be precise. Despite the concerns, Andrews reassures that 2024 YR4 will likely miss Earth. However, he emphasizes the importance of caution, as misguided interventions could worsen the threat rather than eliminate it.