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Tchernobyl - 10 things to know with detail
The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, which was then part of the Soviet Union.
The disaster was caused by a combination of human error and design flaws in the reactor. During a safety test, operators made mistakes that led to a sudden power surge and explosion in Reactor 4.
The explosion released a huge amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, creating a radioactive cloud that spread over much of Europe. The nearby town of Pripyat was evacuated, and a 30-kilometer exclusion zone was established around the plant.
The immediate death toll from the disaster was relatively low, with two plant workers dying in the explosion and 29 more succumbing to acute radiation sickness in the following weeks. However, the long-term health effects of the disaster are still being felt today.
The disaster led to the creation of a massive sarcophagus, or containment structure, to encase the damaged reactor and prevent further release of radioactive material. This structure was later replaced by the New Safe Confinement, a larger and more secure containment structure completed in 2016.
The Chernobyl disaster is considered the worst nuclear accident in history, with the International Atomic Energy Agency and World Health Organization estimating that thousands of people died as a result of the accident and its aftermath.
The area around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant remains highly contaminated with radioactive material, making it unsafe for long-term habitation. However, a small number of people, known as "self-settlers," have returned to the exclusion zone to live.
The disaster had a significant impact on the environment, with widespread contamination of soil, water, and wildlife in the surrounding area. The effects of the disaster are still being studied, and efforts are ongoing to monitor and mitigate the environmental impact.
The Chernobyl disaster had far-reaching political and social consequences, contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union and leading to increased scrutiny of nuclear power worldwide. It also raised awareness of the potential dangers of nuclear accidents and the importance of nuclear safety.
The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, with guided tours offering visitors the chance to see the abandoned town of Pripyat, the remains of the reactor, and the eerie landscape of the contaminated zone. However, visitors are required to follow strict safety guidelines and are advised not to touch or disturb any objects in the area.