Bhopal: A Continuing Tragedy >> What Happened

What Happened

This is the poster picture of the Gas Tragedy. It is the most associated picture with what had happened on that day. This is the burial of a young child or infant after the tragedy.

Overview

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.

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.

Consequences

 The tragedy has had many adverse effects on the population of Bhopal. One of the biggest problems it has had is the contamination of the food and water supply of Bhopal.

Adequate Compensation

Even though the incident was a major factor in the obliteration of so many people's lives, some would argue that they haven't received enough reimbursement for all their suffering. To learn about all they have received, this is the segment to read.

"When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold.  They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful." 

-Barbara Bloom