How did the Bhopal tragedy happen?

1984 12 that night, the pressure of one of the three underground gas storage tanks of Union Carbide Company in the suburb of Bhopal rose sharply. The tank contains 45 tons of liquid highly toxic methyl isocyanate, which is the raw material for making pesticides carbaryl and aldicarb (also an important raw material for making rocket fuel). At 0: 56 on the 3rd, due to the fierce reaction, the pressure increased, the emergency control valve of the gas storage tank failed, and the highly toxic chemicals in the tank leaked out and quickly spread in the form of gas, leaking 25 tons of poison for more than 40 minutes. An hour later, the dense fog formed by poisonous gas has enveloped the whole city. 65438+On February 3rd, all 45 tons of poison were leaked during the day. The toxic gas leaked from pesticide plant crossed the factory wall and first entered the neighboring poor residential area with a population of 200,000, causing hundreds of residents to die immediately in their sleep. Toxic gases pass through temples, shops, streets and lakes. Because there was no wind that night, the air was filled with fog, and the poisonous gas continued to spread slowly at high concentration, spreading death. According to reports, at that time, the toxic gas cloud around the factory covered an area of 40 square kilometers, and the poison hazard lasted for several hours. Bhopal and its vicinity 1/4 area are harmed to varying degrees. Residents began to think that they were attacked by an atomic bomb or a big earthquake, or that there was a factory fire. Lacking common sense, they even went to the factory to watch. Later, they learned that the factory leaked toxic gas and were busy fleeing. People fled at the fastest speed by car and bicycle. However, poisonous gas is merciless. Many people lost their sight in the escape and fell headlong on the side of the road, never getting up again. On the streets and roadside, cattle, dogs and other livestock are also struggling in pain. In addition, some residents in the family think that as long as the doors and windows are closed, gas can be prevented. But gas can penetrate into unsealed rooms, and closed rooms become gas chambers, leading to the death of the whole family. Within a few days, 2,500 people died of poisoning, 20,000 people were seriously poisoned, 50,000 people were blind, 1.5 million people were treated, and 200,000 people fled Bhopal. According to the report in September of the following year, the victims of Bhopal incident not only suffered from diseases of respiratory organs, abdomen and cardiovascular system, but 265,438+0% of them suffered from schizophrenia and often had suicidal thoughts. The number of people suffering from this disease is still increasing (according to 1986,165438+1October 23, CCTV reported: Bhopala? On behalf of the Indian government, Prime Minister Gandhi demanded compensation from American Carbide Company. At the same time, it is solemnly stated that the Indian government will not allow the production of any dangerous substances in densely populated areas in the future.