This is a summary of the events surrounding the Bhopal Gas Tragedy:
In December 1984, at a Union Carbide insecticide factory in Bhopal, India, workers complained of eye irritation and assumed it was a gas leak. They investigated and found a yellowish gas leak but were not alarmed. Over the next two hours, the toxic gas spread throughout Bhopal, resulting in thousands of deaths, making it one of the world's worst industrial disasters.
The Union Carbide Company, which produced various chemicals and pesticides, including Sevin, was responsible for the factory. The company decided to manufacture MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) in India, despite its dangers, to cut costs. Safety measures were ignored, and the factory suffered from numerous issues, including faulty equipment, inadequate evacuation plans, and poor maintenance.
Journalist Rajkumar Keswani raised concerns about the plant's safety, but his warnings went unheeded. On the night of the disaster, water entered one of the MIC tanks, leading to a deadly chemical reaction. Workers initially failed to respond adequately, and the toxic gas escaped into the city. Panic ensued, and the gas spread rapidly, affecting thousands of residents.
Hospitals were ill-prepared to treat victims, as doctors were unaware of the gas's nature. Thousands lost their lives, and many suffered long-term health issues. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy remains one of the world's deadliest industrial disasters, highlighting the consequences of neglecting safety in chemical manufacturing.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In December 1984, a gas leak occurred at an insecticide manufacturing factory in Bhopal.
2. Workers initially assumed it was a gas leak when they experienced burning eyes.
3. A worker discovered a dripping liquid with yellowish gas leaking.
4. The supervisor initially dismissed it as water, considering minor leaks common.
5. The gas spread over Bhopal, leading to thousands of casualties over two days.
6. The incident is known as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, considered the most dangerous industrial disaster.
7. The factory belonged to Union Carbide Company, which produced various products including chemicals.
8. Union Carbide had a factory in Bhopal since 1969, producing an insecticide called Sevin.
9. MIC, a deadly chemical, was imported to manufacture Sevin.
10. In 1980, Union Carbide decided to produce MIC in India, leading to safety concerns.
11. Safety precautions were ignored, leading to accidents and worker deaths.
12. The company faced financial difficulties, leading to cost-cutting measures, including reduced workforce and under-qualified hires.
13. Many safety measures were ignored, including damaged pipes and inadequate evacuation plans.
14. Journalist Rajkumar Keswani raised concerns about safety, but was ignored by the government and the company.
15. Several critical safety measures were neglected, such as tank overfilling, malfunctioning equipment, and disconnected alarms.
16. On the night of the disaster, water entered a tank containing a large amount of MIC, leading to a deadly reaction.
17. Workers failed to recognize the severity of the situation until it was too late, and evacuation efforts were chaotic.
18. The gas spread throughout Bhopal, causing widespread panic and casualties.