On this Day

How our memories fail-

1984: Hundreds die in Bhopal chemical accident

Hundreds of people died from the effects of toxic gases which leaked from a chemical factory near the central Indian city of Bhopal.
The accident happened in the early hours of this morning at the American-owned Union Carbide Pesticide Plant three miles (4.8 km) from Bhopal.
Methyl isocyanate gas had escaped when a valve in the plant's underground storage tank broke under pressure.
This caused a deadly cloud of lethal gas to float from the factory over Bhopal, which is home to more than 900,000 people – many of whom live in slums.

More than 20,000 people required hospital treatment for symptoms including swollen eyes, frothing at the mouth and breathing difficulties.

1992: Bomb explosions in Manchester

Two bombs exploded in the centre of Manchester injuring 64 people and caused damage and business losses estimated to total £10m.
The IRA admitted the bombing the next day.
It formed part of the biggest IRA campaign on the British mainland since the 1970s, with a series of bombs planted across the capital.
Four years later Manchester was targeted again by the IRA.
One million square feet of shopping space was wiped out when a 3,300lb bomb exploded on 15 June 1996.
The device injured more than 200 people and caused damage estimated at up to £700m.

It took three-and-a-half years to redesign and rebuild the city centre at a cost of £1.2bn.

1988: Egg industry fury over salmonella claim

Health minister Edwina Currie provoked outrage by saying most of Britain's egg production is infected with the salmonella bacteria.

She angered farmers, politicians and egg producers, some of whom called for her resignation and threatened to sue.

Ministry of Agriculture ministers were reported to be extremely "angry" at her comments.
A spokesman said more than 30 million eggs were consumed every day last year.

Mrs Currie's officials in the Department of Health were unable to provide evidence that most chickens were infected with salmonella.

Her comments incensed the farming industry and egg producers who expected a sharp fall in egg consumption as a result.

The British Egg Industry Council said it was seeking legal advice on whether it could sue Mrs Currie over "factually incorrect and highly irresponsible" remarks.

During her short time at the Department of Health, Mrs Currie courted controversy with her outspoken opinions.

She upset northerners when she claimed they were dying of "ignorance and chips".

And she was branded patronising and callous for advising the elderly to broach the winter months with a pair of long-johns.

One of her most controversial remarks was on the subject of Aids.

She said: "Good Christian people who would not dream of misbehaving will not catch Aids."

How times change!!