In Pics: 34 years of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy

Survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster light candles to pay to tribute to the victims, on 34th anniversary of the tragedy, in Bhopal, Sunday, Dec 2, 2018.

Survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster take part in a torch rally on the 34th anniversary of tragedy, in Bhopal, Sunday, Dec 2, 2018.

The incident took place on the night of 2-3rd December, 1984, when around 42 tonnes of toxic methyl isocyanate was released from the plant accidently, exposing more than 6,00,000 people to the toxic gases.

This chemical incident was caused by the entry of water into the tank that contained methyl isocyanate, which resulted in a chemical reaction, which resulted in increased temperature inside the tank.

The pressure within in the tank was more than the tank was built to withstand, as a result of which a huge amount of toxic gases were leaked into the environment.

At around 1a.m in the morning people woke up with suffocation and burning sensation in their lungs. A huge panic was created and people were rushing out which even lead to stampedes.

A large number of people lost their lives in this chemical disaster which shook the city of Bhopal. The worst sufferers of this accident were the people from the slum areas near Union Carbide India Ltd. (UCIL) plant.

Several civil and criminal cases are pending against Union Carbide Corporation and its then CEO Warren Anderson in the District Court of Bhopal, but no justice has been given to the victims who either succumbed to their injuries or are still fighting for survival.