The Bhopal disaster occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984 at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. Water entered a tank containing 42 tons of methyl isocyanate gas, causing a chemical reaction that increased temperature and pressure. This forced the emergency venting of gas, releasing a toxic plume that exposed hundreds of thousands of people. Over 3,000 died within weeks and thousands more died later from gas-related illnesses and injuries. Factors contributing to the leak included poor safety practices and maintenance issues at the plant.