Comments on: hell on earth

By: Molly

Molly — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:04:34 +0000

Yes, it’s disturbing. That’s the point. We should be disturbed about the tragedy. And those who aren’t, maybe the picture of a dead child will stir their emotions. Something has to.

By: Rose from NZ

Rose from NZ — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:44:11 +0000

A most interesting article (and interesting links in the comments too). I have been reading up on the Bhopal disaster today as it’s the 25 year anniversary in two days… so devestatingly saddening to see the pictures of the children who have been disfigured by the tragedy. It’s almost like it’s been forgotten by the world. Damn the soulless bastards who allowed such a thing to happen, who placed priority on money and not the safety of human beings.

By: H.S Iri

H.S Iri — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:15:20 +0000

That photo represents what happened to their people, that is what they had to look at in their streets. That baby was a child to a family that could have suffered the same fate. That photo represents this perfectly, and you shouldnt need a disclaimer for it. Those people need to “man up” and realize the facts, whether or not it looks bad.

By: Indra

Indra — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:48:27 +0000

Um, Kim, the baby was being buried by her father when the picture was taken.

By: kim Anderson

kim Anderson — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 14:59:49 +0000

i think this was a bad story to see a baby died like that and the parents have not step up to claim the baby . that means they don’t care about that pour baby. i understand that they probly now the baby face because they now how the baby looked. so i’m writing to you to tell you i feel very sad and tell the parent’s to step up and see if thats there baby

By: Another Indian

Another Indian — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 20:05:21 +0000

If I was one of the dead I guess I would have been happy. What can be better than death than life in hell (read India)? The more I learn and see the more I feel ashamed of nationality. Criminals like Laloo runs the governments, people breed like anything even putting swines to shame. If anyone merciful could drop a nuclear bomb to bring an end to the shame on humanity.

By: A N N A

A N N A — Sat, 04 Dec 2004 23:52:22 +0000

for more on Bhopal, including (warning!) a more disturbing picture and a victim's account, go here, to my blog.

By: Blank

Blank — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 19:46:21 +0000

People like to put blame at the doorstep of Union Carbide claiming it is another example of American Double standards.

Many blame the Government of India for not having the appropriate measures and the mind numbing bureacracy that has held up the funds that were paid to the victims.

All in all, this tragedy was a failure at all levels. Corporate (Union Carbide and its local Indian counterpart) and Government (India) for its poor handling of this situation. All parties involved have failed to bring justice and closure to the people involved in this disaster.

May God give peace to those who have passed and ease the suffering of those who continue to bear the scars and pain of the worlds worst industrial disaster.

By: vinod

vinod — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 19:08:52 +0000

FWIW, the Bhopal.com site ( as opposed to Bhopal.ORG) has the "other side" to the story - UCC claims -

In May 1989, Union Carbide and Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) entered into a $470 million legal settlement with the Government of India, which represented all claimants in the case. The settlement was affirmed by the Supreme Court of India, which described it as Â“just, equitable and reasonable,Â” and settled all claims arising out of the incident. Ten days after the decision, Union Carbide and UCIL made full payment of the $470 million to the Indian government. The settlement award was much larger than any previous damage award in India, and was $120 million more than plaintiffÂ’s lawyers had told U.S. Courts was fair. The settlement was reached after the Supreme Court of India reviewed all U.S. and Indian court filings, applicable law and relevant facts, and an assessment of the victimsÂ’ needs. In its opinion, the Court said that compensation levels under the settlement were far greater than would normally be payable under Indian law. By November 1990, the Reserve Bank of India reported that the settlement fund, with interest, was approximately twice what was estimated to be needed to compensate the victims. To resolve continuing legal disputes, the Supreme Court of India later upheld the $470 million settlement in its entirety and dismissed all outstanding petitions seeking review of the settlement. Pursuant to the settlement, the Government of India assumed responsibility for disbursing funds from the settlement and providing medical coverage to citizens of Bhopal in the event of future illnesses. In July 2004, fifteen years after reaching settlement, the Supreme Court of India ordered the Government of India to release all additional settlement funds to the victims. News reports indicate that there was approximately $327 million in the fund as a result of earned interest from money remaining after all claims had been paid.

I'm far from knowledgeable enough here to comment on the discrepency...

By: Abhi

Abhi — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 18:15:22 +0000

NPR just did a story (in the form of a guest commentary) about this particular picture today (12/3). They chose to issue the warning "Photographs of the disaster's aftermath may not be suitable for all readers," and include a link to the actual pictures.