BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY
The Bhopal gas tragedy is undoubtedly one of the world's worst industrial disasters. Thousands have died so far since 1984 when poisonous gas from a chemical plant leaked in to air. The disaster not only polluted the city, but killed people and animals, while also causing irrevocable damage to thousands of lives. In spite of justice being a far cry, the resilience of Bhopal's residents has been remarkable. Protests continue and people wait in hope for a day when due compensation would, if not remove the scars, help heal the past. Will they see the light of day?
On the night of
December2-3, 1984, as the people of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh slept, a tragedy unfolded. A series of events caused methyl isocyanate(MIC) to leak from a chemical plant in the city. It caused mayhem. Thousands died,animals too were affected. The city was over whelmed.Years later- even today.- thousands more suffer, affected with severe and permanently disabling injuries.
Bhopal has been called one of the World's worst industrial disasters. As a resident put it,Mothers didn't know their children had died,children didn't know their mothers had died and men did not know their whole families had died."
How did it happen? Water entered a tank containing tones of MIC at Union Carbide's plant. There was a reaction and toxic gases exited in to the air. As there were fairly strong winds blowing over Bhopal at that time,the gas spread it was disaster. The factory was shut. Days went past and the government put the death toll at around 3,500,with 15,000 people having died since then. Activists say the figure is an high as 25,000,with survivors and their dependants still suffering from the ill effects of the leak. their medical conditions are multiple,which includes afflictions such as loss of vision, breathing problems, kidney and liver failure and birth defects.
Union Carbide paid a compensation of $470 m in 1989. But years after the tragedy, though there have been attempts to offer relief and rehabilitation society and the official world seem to have forgotten the victims and their plight.
Prof. John Kurakar
The Bhopal gas tragedy is undoubtedly one of the world's worst industrial disasters. Thousands have died so far since 1984 when poisonous gas from a chemical plant leaked in to air. The disaster not only polluted the city, but killed people and animals, while also causing irrevocable damage to thousands of lives. In spite of justice being a far cry, the resilience of Bhopal's residents has been remarkable. Protests continue and people wait in hope for a day when due compensation would, if not remove the scars, help heal the past. Will they see the light of day?On the night of
December2-3, 1984, as the people of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh slept, a tragedy unfolded. A series of events caused methyl isocyanate(MIC) to leak from a chemical plant in the city. It caused mayhem. Thousands died,animals too were affected. The city was over whelmed.Years later- even today.- thousands more suffer, affected with severe and permanently disabling injuries.
Bhopal has been called one of the World's worst industrial disasters. As a resident put it,Mothers didn't know their children had died,children didn't know their mothers had died and men did not know their whole families had died."
How did it happen? Water entered a tank containing tones of MIC at Union Carbide's plant. There was a reaction and toxic gases exited in to the air. As there were fairly strong winds blowing over Bhopal at that time,the gas spread it was disaster. The factory was shut. Days went past and the government put the death toll at around 3,500,with 15,000 people having died since then. Activists say the figure is an high as 25,000,with survivors and their dependants still suffering from the ill effects of the leak. their medical conditions are multiple,which includes afflictions such as loss of vision, breathing problems, kidney and liver failure and birth defects.
Union Carbide paid a compensation of $470 m in 1989. But years after the tragedy, though there have been attempts to offer relief and rehabilitation society and the official world seem to have forgotten the victims and their plight.
Prof. John Kurakar
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