Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

After 40 years, toxic waste from Bhopal gas leak site sent for disposal

The plant, now owned by Dow Chemical, had been a symbol of industrialisation in India, offering jobs and producing affordable pesticides for farmers.

union-carbide-plant-getty

The disaster claimed over 5,000 lives and affected more than half a million people in Bhopal. (Photo: Getty Images)

INDIAN authorities have announced the completion of moving toxic waste from the site of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy to a disposal facility.

The disaster, which occurred nearly 40 years ago, claimed over 5,000 lives and affected more than half a million people in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.


In the early hours of 3 December 1984, a leak of methyl isocyanate gas from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide Corporation poisoned thousands.

The plant, now owned by Dow Chemical, had been a symbol of industrialisation in India, offering jobs and producing affordable pesticides for farmers.

On Thursday, 12 containers carrying 337 metric tons of toxic waste were transported to Pithampur, located about 230 km from Bhopal.

The process took place under heavy security, Swatantra Kumar Singh, the director of the Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation department, told Reuters.

The state government stated that the incineration process would take three to nine months. A trial run conducted in 2015, involving the disposal of 10 metric tons of waste, had confirmed emissions within national standards, Singh said.

Singh assured that the disposal process is environmentally safe and will not harm the local ecosystem.

However, activist Rachna Dhingra, who has worked with survivors of the tragedy, expressed concerns over the environmental impact.

She stated that the solid waste generated after incineration would be buried in a landfill, potentially leading to water contamination.

"Why is the polluter Union Carbide and Dow Chemical not being compelled to clean up its toxic waste in Bhopal?" Dhingra asked.
The Union Carbide plant was built in 1969 and operated until the disaster struck, leaving a lasting legacy of industrial and environmental challenges.

(With inputs from Reuters)

More For You

Donald Trump

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Getty Images

Trump’s tariffs hit global markets, Starmer warns of 'economic impact'

The UK and other global economies reacted on Thursday to US president Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs, with prime minister Keir Starmer warning of an “economic impact” from the 10 per cent levy on British exports.

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Keep ReadingShow less
India told to prepare for deadly rise in temperatures

The country can expect more heatwave days this year

India told to prepare for deadly rise in temperatures

INDIA can expect hotter-thanusual temperatures this summer with more heatwave days taking a toll on lives and livelihoods, the weather office warned.

The country is no stranger to scorching summers, but years of scientific research has found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tower Hamlets secures funding to save domestic abuse support jobs

The planned strike action was called off after the external funding was secured

Tower Hamlets secures funding to save domestic abuse support jobs

Ruby Gregory

REDUNDANCY proposals which would have seen job cuts made to a ‘crucial’ domestic abuse support service in Tower Hamlets have been called off.

Solace Women’s Aid, which planned to make cuts, confirmed last Friday (28) the redundancies were no longer going ahead, following a boost in external funding which followed a threat of strike action.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report reveals Birmingham’s doctors face racism and bullying
Absences have risen at the Queen Elizabeth and Heartlands Hospitals in Birmingham, as well as Good Hope in Sutton and Solihull Hospital

Report reveals Birmingham’s doctors face racism and bullying

Gurdip Thandi

YOUNG doctors in Birmingham hospitals face a ‘shocking’ number of incidents of bullying, racism and sexism from patients and other staff.

The Medical Academy Annual Report was presented to a University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust board meeting, which revealed the data.

Keep ReadingShow less
Former police officer arrested in Rotherham investigation

Investigators believe the earlier offences happened between 1995 and 2002 (Photo for representation: iStock)

Former police officer arrested in Rotherham investigation

A FORMER police officer has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham, authorities revealed on Tuesday (1).

The former constable, who is in his 50s, was taken into custody on Monday (31). He is suspected of raping a teenage girl in the South Yorkshire town in 2004, according to officials.

Keep ReadingShow less