Volcano's Edge: Bhopal's Deadly Gas Secret

In Bhopal, India, a local journalist's stark warning about being on the "edge of a volcano" tragically foreshadowed a catastrophic industrial disaster. In December 1984, a malfunction at a US-owned pesticide plant released 40 tonnes of highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas, blanketing a densely populated slum. This deadly cloud caused immediate deaths, with thousands perishing from organ failure within hours.

The gas, spreading low to the ground like fog, disproportionately affected women and children, leading to widespread fatalities and miscarriages. Despite internal warnings about imminent leaks, plant managers delayed action, assuming minor issues. The plant's siren was even silenced to avoid panic, delaying vital alerts to residents.

Survivors and their families endured a decades-long struggle for justice, facing international legal battles and skepticism. While seven former employees were convicted in 2010, the chairman of Union Carbide passed away in 2014 without facing prosecution in India. Today, over 40 years later, victims continue to suffer health complications, and the fight for compensation persists.