|
|
|
|
|
What Happened:
Union Carbide built their pesticide factory in Bhopal in the 1970s. The factory contained three tanks of MIC that held over 60 tons of the deadly gas. Late, on those nights at about midnight, a corroded pipe allowed water to enter the largest tank of MIC. The tank was blown off the wall, releasing the chemicals inside. The gas began to spread through the city. There were six safety and security systems designed to protect from such accidents, but through an unfortunate incidence, none of these systems stopped the leak. Panic was omnipresent, as everyone in the vicinity of the toxic substances stampeded down the streets trying to escape the gas. Some were killed by the gas, whereas others were trampled to death by the frenzied crowd and the stampede-like effect it had. Many people ran out of their houses wearing almost nothing, frantic to escape the reaches of the terrible toxins. The overall effect was a tragedy, where thousands of people died, thousands of people were affected, and thousands of people are still affected by this fateful night so many years ago. |
On
the nights of December 2nd and 3rd, 1984, a great tragedy took place, and its
effects continue to this very day. A Union Carbide plant in Bhopal,
India, leaked 27 tons of lethal gas. The gas, known as methyl isocyanate,
or MIC, spread through the town, affecting many of the people living
there. Over half a million people were exposed to the gas, and to this
date, and according to the Indian government, over 20,000 people have
died because of it. In addition, over 120,000 people are still affected
by the toxic gas and its consequences.