Worst environmental disasters

Baia Mare cyanide disaster: On January 30th 2000, the dam containing toxic waste material from the Baia Mare Aurul gold mine in Romania collapsed and released 100,000 cubic meters of water with very high cyanide concentrations into the river Tisza, one of the biggest rivers in Hungary. Cyanide is highly toxic, and is lethal to humans and other species even in very small doses. However, the waste water did not only contain cyanide, but also heavy metals such as copper, zinc and lead. Gulf War oil spill: It was January 21, 1991; when the occupying Iraqi forces opened valves at the Sea Island Oil Terminal in Kuwait, several million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Persian Gulf. This is regarded as one of the worst oil spills in the history of mankind. It caused great damage to the flora and fauna in the Persian Gulf and its surrounding areas. The spill was originally aimed at foiling any potential landing by US Marines. Chernobyl nuclear disaster: On 26 April 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine exploded. The explosion resulted in the release of highly radioactive matter in the atmosphere. The effect of the contamination, which displaced over 336,000 people, was visible in entire Europe. The accident, considered to be the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history, was attributed to flawed reactor design, inadequate trained personnel and lack of proper safeguards.

Bhopal Gas tragedy: Tragedy struck Bhopal on December 3, 1984; when thousands of people died from the effects of toxic gases which leaked from an American-owned Union Carbide Pesticide Plant in Bhopal. This disaster is regarded as the worst industrial disaster in the world. On the fateful day, the plant released 42 tonnes of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, exposing more than 500,000 people to toxic gases. According to an unofficial estimate nearly 25,000 people died in the mishap.
Seveso dioxin disaster: On July 10, 1976 an explosion occurred in a trichlorophenol reactor in the Industrie Chimiche Meda Societa factory in Meda, Italy. Toxic chemicals contaminated the atmosphere and polluted a densely populated area and instantly killing many animals. The disaster was named after Seveso, a small town with the population of 17,000 in 1976. This catastrophe had the most severe effect on the inhabitants of Seveso.