Lake Nyos carbon dioxide release 1986 deaths

Lake Nyos's gas release killed thousands

1,700–2,000 people

Lake Nyos is a volcanic crater lake in Cameroon. On 21 August 1986, it released carbon dioxide, killing between 1,700 and 2,000 people.

Slavery persisted despite legal bans

~40 million people

In 2019, an estimated 40 million people worldwide were enslaved, even though slavery was illegal in every country. Children made up 26% of that total.

France created a government with no easy way out of a deadlock

After the French Revolution, France created a government called the Directory. Its leaders could not simply call new elections, while lawmakers could block their plans. When the two sides became stuck, the system had few peaceful ways to solve the conflict, so the government repeatedly turned to decrees and the army.

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Lake Nyos carbon dioxide release 1986 deaths

Lake Nyos's gas release killed thousands

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