The words sensational and appalling both have the meaning of shocking and terrifying, but they differ in emphasis and context.
SensationalFocuses on deliberately exaggerating or fabricating facts to shock people in order to achieve a certain purpose.
This behavior may be motivated by factors such as attracting attention, raising awareness, promoting a product or service, etc. Sensational remarks or events can be false or exaggerated, and are said only to attract attention or shock, so they can sometimes be questioned or controversial.
AppallingFocuses on depicting events or statements that are frightening, frightening, grieving, or disturbing, often involving extreme or very serious situations such as violence, disaster, terror, etc. These events or facts are often extremely impactful and harmful, shocking and unacceptable.
For example, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, serious crimes, etc., can all be considered appalling incidents.
For example, if there is a large-scale traffic accident in a certain place, resulting in dozens of deaths or injuries, the incident is well-founded, real, and very appalling.
These events are often real and are described and reported to draw attention and alarm to avoid a recurrence of similar incidents.