Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984: What Really Happened on the Night of Disaster? Full Details & Impact

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: On the night of December 2nd and 3rd, 1984, anyone living in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, felt as if a mountain of sorrow had fallen upon them. It was a night so traumatic that it seemed as if morning would never come. From midnight until dawn, poisonous gas (methyl isocyanate) released from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in the heart of the city claimed the lives of thousands. Meanwhile, those who survived, or their descendants, are slowly dying, battling one illness or another.

Although the Bhopal Gas Tragedy will complete 41 years in 2025, health experts believe that the effects of that deadly chemical will continue to affect even the third generation of gas victims.

It's no surprise that the victims developed life-threatening illnesses

While the death toll from this largest accident in industrial history may vary, everyone agrees on the severity of the tragedy. Suffice it to say, the death toll was in the thousands. Furthermore, the number of people affected by the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is estimated to be in the millions. Research on the impact of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy has shown that even after surviving the gas disaster, those affected remain at risk of developing life-threatening illnesses. Kidney failure, cancer, or tuberculosis are the most common. The Health Department has set up dedicated cancer and TB hospitals for the city's gas victims.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: There was no morning that night

The wind blew away the gas cloud created by the leak at Union Carbide's Plant No. C, causing people to fall asleep. People were unable to understand what was happening. Those affected by the toxic gas reported experiencing severe burning sensations in their eyes and difficulty breathing that night. Those who were most severely affected died immediately, while those who were less affected are slowly succumbing to their injuries.

Varying claims on deaths

According to government figures, 3,000 people died within a few hours of the accident. However, non-government sources believe this number was nearly three times higher. Furthermore, some claim that the number of people who died immediately from the gas was over 15,000. However, the deaths didn't end that night; they have continued ever since. Research has shown that even those who survived exposure to this toxic gas are so deadly that its effects can last for three generations.

In just a few hours, 40 tons of toxic gas leaked into the air

According to experts, the toxic gas that began leaking from the Union Carbide factory at 12 a.m. on December 3rdhad already leaked, and by the time the valves were closed that morning, approximately 40 tons had leaked. This was caused by water mixing with the toxic methyl isocyanate gas in tank number 610. This caused a chemical reaction, creating pressure inside the tank. Eventually, the tank opened, releasing the toxic gas into the atmosphere.

Read More: Bhopal Gas Tragedy: December 3: A Dark Chapter in Industrial History