BHOPAL — 1984 · Major Tragedy
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
In the early hours of 3 December 1984, methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a storage tank at Union Carbide's pesticide plant in Bhopal. The toxic cloud spread over densely populated neighbourhoods, killing thousands in the first days. Estimates put the total death toll at 15,000 to 20,000, and hundreds of thousands lived with lasting damage such as respiratory problems and blindness. Investigations found that understaffing and substandard safety procedures led to the disaster. On 7 June 2010 an Indian court convicted the company's Indian unit and seven former managers of negligence; the managers, sentenced to two years, were soon released on bail.
- Date
- 1984
- Place
- Madhya Pradesh, India, Bhopal, IN
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 23.2807, 77.4104 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 3 December 1984Methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide plant.
- 1989The company reached a compensation settlement with India's government.
- 7 June 2010A court convicted the Indian unit and seven former managers of negligence.
- 2010The light sentences provoked nationwide outrage.
Sources
- France 24 — Union Carbide officials convicted over Bhopal disaster france24.com ↗
- Al Jazeera — Bhopal's undelivered justice aljazeera.com ↗
- France 24
- Al Jazeera
- Britannica
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.