December 3rd 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of one of the worst disasters to ever hit the developing world. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal. At midnight on 3 December 1984, the plant accidentally released methyl isocyanate gas, exposing more than half a million people to toxic gas and harmful chemicals. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people died within 72 hours and 25,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.

It has destroyed communities, families and the lives of the people in the surrounding area, and the company responsible, Dow Chemicals, have refused to take responsibility for their actions and clean up the area. It has left many survivors angry and leaves them little comfort, instead they are left to face their dark memories everyday:

‘When I saw the leaves on the trees curl and turn black and birds fall dead out of the sky, I knew that this was Death, come among us as foretold. My regret is that I survived.’
 
Death came out of a clear sky. Midnight, a cold wind blowing, the stars brilliant as they are in central India, even through the thin pall of cooking-fire smoke that hung above the city. Here and there, braziers were burning to warm those who were obliged to be out late. From the factory which so many had learned to fear, a thin plume of white vapour began streaming from a high structure. Caught by the wind, it became a haze and blew downward to mix with smokes coming from somewhere nearer to the ground. A dense fog formed. Nudged by the wind, it rolled across the road and into the alleys on the other side. Here the houses were packed close, ill-built, with badly-fitting doors and windows. Those within were roused in darkness to the sound of screams with the gases already in their eyes, noses and throats. It burned terribly, it felt like fire.
Aziza Sultan, a survivor, remembers: "At about 12.30 am I woke to the sound of my baby coughing badly. In the half light I saw that the room was filled with a white cloud. I heard a lot of people shouting. They were shouting 'run, run'. Then I started coughing with each breath seeming as if I was breathing in fire. My eyes were burning."
 

This extract is taken from an article found on the Bhopal Medical Appeal website, a group that is dedicated to helping the community rebuild their lives and provide urgent medical attention for those in need. You can read the rest of the article here.

The Indian Government has recently backed out of plans to open a planned memeorial for the victims of the tragedy. Read more about the scandal here

Join them next Wednesday as they gather in Trafalgar Square for a protest to highlight the struggle and strife of the people of Bhopal. Information on the event can be found here.