Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, where an accident at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in the Indian city released a poisonous gas that killed thousands.
“Twenty five years ago, the country woke up to a terrible tragedy in Bhopal,” said Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in a statement.
“I share the grief of those affected by this horrible incident. I reaffirm our Government’s commitment to resolving issues of safe drinking water, expeditious clean up of the site, continuation of medical research, and any other outstanding issues connected with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.”
Yesterday the Centre for Science and Environment, an advocacy group based in New Delhi, claimed that groundwater up to 3 km away from the factory site still has pesticide levels 40 times higher than Indian safety standards.
“The profile of chemicals found within the [Union Carbide] factory and in the waste disposal site of [Union Carbide] matches the chemicals found in the groundwater sample in the colonies outside,” says Chandra Bhushan, associate director of the centre (press release). “There is no other source of these chlorinated benzene compounds and pesticides than [Union Carbide].”
Another report from a UK based Bhopal charity presented a similar message today, claiming that the drinking water supplies of many communities around the factory are contaminated with toxic compounds.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state, denied claims in the second report, telling the BBC, “we can say that we are providing 100% clean water”.
More Bhopal news
AFP reports that the state has also decided that the factory site should not be opened for a week to mark the anniversary, after victims groups protested about the insensitivity of such a move. According to the newswire the move was blocked as it might be seen to breach a prohibition on major policy announcements before elections (Madhya Pradesh state goes to the polls on 19 December).
The Daily Telegraph says a doctor who conducted autopsies on those who died in the disaster is now being treated for a fatal lung condition which is linked to his exposure to Bhopal chemicals.
The Business Standard reports that victims of the accident have responded to claims that waste at the site is non-toxic by offereing to serve officials “Naphthol Tar Fondue, Reactor Residue Quiche, Sevin Tar Souffle, [and] Lime Sludge Mousse”.
“They have often said the toxic wastes lying at the Union Carbide’s closed facility are not toxic. … So, we are organising a feast for them so that they can consume it and ensure us a cleaner Bhopal,” an activist told the paper.