The Bhopal disaster was a catastrophic leak of toxic gas at a pesticide plant owned by the Indian subsidiary of the American company Union Carbide, in the city of Bhopal in central India. Water entered a tank of methyl isocyanate and set off a reaction, and the gas spread through densely populated neighbourhoods near the plant while people slept. Thousands died within days, and many more suffered from lasting illness, with estimates of the full toll varying widely. Investigations pointed to poor maintenance, neglected safety systems and cost cutting. The disaster led to long legal battles over compensation, and survivors and campaigners say the people affected and the contaminated site were never adequately dealt with.
Before and after
- 25 October 1984Birth of Katy Perry
- 31 October 1984Death of Indira Gandhi
- 6 November 19841984 United States presidential election
- 22 November 1984Birth of Scarlett Johansson
- 3 December 1984Bhopal disaster
- 10 December 1984Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- 22 December 1984Birth of Basshunter
- 27 December 1984Discovery of the Allan Hills 84001
- 30 December 1984Birth of LeBron James
More in Earth & climate
- 1970Establishment of Salonga National Park
- 2001Establishment of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park
- 26 December 20042004 Indian Ocean earthquake
- 11 March 20112011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
- 11 March 2020The WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic
- 6 February 20232023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.