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Fire breaks out at Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, concerns over toxic waste

The recent fire incident at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal has stirred memories of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives and left many others with long-term health issues

By Ground Report Desk
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Massive fire broke out in Union Carbide premises

Visuals of massive fire, broke out at the campus of Carbide factory in Bhopal. Photo credit: X

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A massive fire erupted at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday afternoon, causing alarm among nearby residents. The blaze, which sent black smoke billowing into the sky, reignited fears about the potential impact of toxic fumes. Efforts to extinguish the fire took about an hour, with authorities now investigating the cause.

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Nasreen, a resident of JP Nagar, recounted seeing the thick smoke from afar and expressed concerns about the possible health effects of inhaling the poisonous fumes. She highlighted lax security measures at the factory, noting that unauthorized entry points were easily accessible due to damaged walls and overgrown vegetation.

According to a report by Free Press Journal, a fire broke out near the factory premises on Monday at 3:30 pm, originating from a tank situated nearby. Promptly notified by the police, the fire brigade team swiftly arrived at the scene. Five fire tenders were deployed and effectively extinguished the fire, preventing its escalation to other equipment or machinery within the factory.

Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action called for a prompt investigation into the fire and its potential release of toxic substances. She criticized the lack of stringent security measures and alleged collusion between security personnel and trespassers.

The incident comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings regarding the cleanup of toxic waste at the factory site. The Madhya Pradesh High Court heard arguments regarding the responsibility of Dow Chemical and Union Carbide in managing the waste. Concerns were raised about groundwater contamination caused by buried toxic waste, with calls for swift action to alleviate the suffering of Bhopal gas victims.

The court has ordered further hearings to address these concerns and determine the appropriate course of action. Meanwhile, residents and activists continue to advocate for the timely disposal of hazardous waste to mitigate health risks for the local community.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The recent accident at the Union Carbide warehouse has brought back haunting memories of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. This tragedy claimed the lives of nearly 3,787 people and left many others with life-long ailments due to the gas leak. Although the Union Carbide factory in the capital of Madhya Pradesh is now closed, the toxic waste remaining inside continues to be a significant concern for residents and environmentalists.

Originally owned by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), with majority stakes held by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) of the United States, along with Indian government-controlled banks and public holdings, the factory later saw a change in ownership to Eveready Industries India Limited (EIIL). Eventually, the company terminated its 99-year lease and transferred control of the site to the state government.

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