Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984)

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The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, occurring on December 2-3, 1984, is widely regarded as the world's worst industrial disaster. It happened at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. A leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas exposed over 500,000 people, leading to thousands of immediate deaths and severe long-term health issues. The official death toll was reported as around 3,800, but estimates suggest that between 15,000 and 20,000 people ultimately died due to gas exposure. The disaster highlighted failures in safety procedures and regulatory oversight. The leak was attributed to a combination of human error and technical failures, including a faulty valve allowing water to mix with MIC, triggering a chemical reaction. Union Carbide paid $470 million in compensation but denied full responsibility. The disaster has had lasting impacts on Bhopal, with ongoing environmental contamination and health issues. It has also influenced global industrial safety standards and environmental policies, emphasizing the need for better regulation and preparedness to prevent similar tragedies.