In March 2011, as Japan reels from the most powerful earthquake in its history, a 14 metre-high tsunami surges over the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, knocking out its power supply and essential cooling systems. With the plant blacked out, engineers face nuclear meltdown. The reactors begin to overheat leading to two huge explosions that tear the plant apart and dispersing radiation. As Japan faces the worst nuclear emergency since Chernobyl, an international nuclear expert will investigate exactly what happed at Fukushima and see what, if anything, could have been done to prevent it. Written by Darlow Smithson Productions

The Royal Navy's battle with Bismarck is a pivot point in the Second World War. If Bismarck succeeded in attacking the British convoy system, then Britain would be forced to surrender and there would have been no bridgehead for an Anglo American liberation of Europe. In losing Bismarck the Germans lost their opportunity to defeat Britain and turn the tide of war. Naval historian Andrew Lambert has studied this famous sea battle and sheds new light on the reasons for Bismarck's fate. He believes the sinking follows a catalogue of errors on both sides but ultimately he finds fault with the core German war strategy. Written by Darlow Smithson Productions

In 1960 construction of Europe's tallest dam is completed in the Vajont Valley in Northern Italy - the jewel in the crown of an ambitious hydro-electric generation scheme. But as the new reservoir fills, a vast section of mountainside is dislodged and creeps towards the lake. The power company know the landslide has the potential to cause a devastating tsunami if it hits the water at speed, so they develop a plan to ease the landslide down by adjusting the level of the lake. For two years there are no problems, but in October 1963, the landslide suddenly accelerates - and slams into the reservoir as fast as a formula one car - creating a tsunami 250 metres high which overtops the dam and swamps the valley below - killing more than 2000 people. Seconds from Disaster reveals the systematic errors that led to tragedy - and sheds new light on the landslide mechanism that has baffled scientists for 50 years. Written by Darlow Smithson Productions

Waco, Texas. On February 28th 1993 the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms raid a compound belonging to a religious cult called the Branch Davidians. They attempt to arrest cult leader David Koresh for alleged firearms offences. A gunfight breaks out that leaves six Branch Davidians and four ATF agents dead. The FBI arrives to take control but the situation escalates into one of the Americas longest sieges. After a fifty-one day stand off the FBI launches a dawn assault. Using military tanks they inject tear gas through the walls and windows in an attempt to force the Branch Davidians out. Rather than surrender, besieged cult members set fire to their compound. In less than twenty minutes the entire building is alight. Seventy-six people including two pregnant women and twenty-eight children were killed during the fire. Seconds from Disaster counts down to the moment fire breaks out and investigates whether the Branch Davidians were led to their deaths by charismatic cult leader ... Written by Darlow Smithson Productions

The Deepwater Horizon rig has finished drilling the Macondo Well for BP in the Gulf of Mexico. The well, in water 1500m deep, extends to a depth of 4000m. The crew test the well to ensure it is safely sealed so the Deepwater Horizon rig can move on before another rig starts oil extraction. But just hours after the well passes its safety test, flammable gas and crude oil shoot out of the well, enveloping the rig in flames and killing 11 workers. Seconds from Disaster investigates the series of decisions and failings that culminated in the catastrophe and the world's biggest accidental marine oil spill. Written by Darlow Smithson Productions

At 9.20pm on 26 November 2008 gunmen burst into Mumbai's luxury Trident Oberoi hotel, firing indiscriminately. Jewish study centre Chabad House, popular with American and Israeli Jews, is next, followed by tourist hangout Café Leopold, the city's most luxurious hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace, and the CST, one of the world's busiest rail stations. These unprecedented commando-style attacks, which leave 166 dead, have clearly targeted both the Indian public and Western visitors. Seconds from Disaster reveals the failings that allowed 10 terrorists free reign of India's largest city - killing at will - in front of the world's cameras for nearly 3 horrifying days. Written by Darlow Smithson Productions