Congratulations to photographer Alex Masi for an ‘Honorable Mention’ in the UNICEF photo of the year for his ‘Bhopal Second Disaster’ photographic work.
India: Yesterday’s disaster is today’s tragedy
In December 1984, a gas tank exploded at the US-owned Union Carbide pesticides manufacturing plant in Bhopal, India, releasing 40 tons of hazardous substances into the atmosphere. Earlier on, the company allegedly had reduced safety standards in the factory to save money. Thousands of people died that very night and countless others went blind or suffered from brain damage, paralysis, pulmonary edemas, heart and liver diseases and stomach problems. The long-term effects include deformities in babies and growth retardation among children. Today, the site is still contaminated and continues to release toxic chemicals into Bhopal’s soil and groundwater. As of today, nobody has accepted the responsibility to clean up and restore the industrial site. Or to help the victims. As an eye witness, Italian photographer Alex Masi feels responsible to draw awareness to this tragic situation and the still unsolved problem of toxic waste disposal through his long-term photographic project.
You can see More of Masi’s work and details of the ‘Honorable Mention’ here
