Bodoh

Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) was established in 1934, when Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) became one of the first U.S. companies to invest in India. UCIL shares were publicly traded on the Calcutta Stock Exchange. UCIL was a diversified manufacturing company, employing approximately 9,000 people and operating 14 plants in five divisions.

The Bhopal plant was built in the late 1970's and was owned and operated by UCIL, an Indian company in which Union Carbide held just over half of the stock. Indian financial institutions and thousands of private investors in India owned the remainder of the stock.

The plant produced pesticides for use in India to help the country's agricultural sector increase its productivity and contribute more significantly to meeting the food needs of one of the world's most heavily populated regions.

1984

Dec 3

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Shortly after midnight, methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaks from a tank at the UCIL Bhopal plant. According to the state government of Madhya Pradesh, approximately 3,800 people die and several thousand other individuals experience permanent and partial disabilities.

Dec 4

Immediate Action

Word of the disaster is received at Union Carbide headquarters in Connecticut. Chairman and CEO Warren Anderson, together with a technical team, depart to India to assist the government in dealing with the incident. Upon arrival, Anderson is placed under house arrest and urged by the Indian government to leave the country within 24 hours.

Union Carbide organizes a team of international medical experts, as well as supplies and equipment, to work with the local Bhopal medical community.

The UCC technical team begins assessing the cause of the gas leak.

Dec 14

Warren Anderson testifies before Congress. He stresses UCC commitment to safety and promises to take actions to ensure that a similar incident "cannot happen again."

1985

Feb

Interim Relief

Union Carbide establishes a fund for victims of the tragedy -- the (UCC) Employees' Bhopal Relief Fund -- that collects more than $120,000.

UCC sends more medical equipment to Bhopal.

Mar

Study Launched

UCC launches a disaster program to study the effects of over-exposure to MIC.

Bhopal Gas Leak Act

Government of India (GOI) enacts the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster Act that enables the GOI to act as the legal representative of the victims in claims arising of or related to the Bhopal disaster.

Cause of the Incident

UCC Technical team reports that a large volume of water was introduced into the MIC tank and triggered a reaction that resulted in the gas release. Independently, a committee of experts for the Indian government arrives at the same conclusion.

Apr

Union Carbide Offers $7 Million Interim Relief

UCC offers $5 million in relief for victims before the U.S. District Court, bringing the total to date to $7 million.

Government of India Rejects Union Carbide Relief

Government of India rejects UCC offers of aid for Bhopal victims.

June

Additional Aid

UCC funds participation of Indian medical experts in meetings to obtain information and the latest medical treatment techniques for victims.

July

Additional Analysis

Core samples confirm that water triggered the reaction, which led to the gas release.

1986

Jan

Union Carbide Funds Hospital

Union Carbide offers $10 million to the Indian government for building a hospital to aid the victims in Bhopal.

Mar

Union Carbide Proposes $350 Million as Settlement for Victims and Families

Union Carbide proposes a settlement amount of $350 million that will generate a fund for Bhopal victims of between $500-600 million over 20 years. Plaintiffs' U.S. attorneys endorse amount.

May

Bhopal Litigation Transferred to India

U.S. District Court Judge transfers all Bhopal litigation to India. Decision is appealed.

1987