Chernobyl

The most well-known nuclear facility and accident in history may have occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The facility, which was located in the north of Ukraine close to the town of Pripyat, blew up on April 26, 1986. Once plant operators turned off the safety mechanisms that prohibit proper cooling in compliance with regulations, an excessive amount of steam accumulated. Reactor power surged, and they were unable to turn it off.

Two workers perished in the original explosion, but many more would pass away from radioactive exposure in the days that followed. As 250 firefighters worked for 10 days to put out the fire, it was finally doused. Acute radiation sickness was already manifesting in many Pripyat residents by the time the town was evacuated 36 hours later.

Throughout the first four months following the tragedy, 28 Chernobyl employees lost their lives. Many of these personnel voluntarily exposed themselves to radiation, well aware of what would occur while they worked to resolve the issue. By 2015, there was proof that up to 20,000 persons who were still youngsters at the time of the plant explosion had developed thyroid issues.

Chernobyl's immediate vicinity is still very radioactive today. In 2017, they reinforced the concrete sarcophagus in which they had sealed the reactor. Although many residents returned to their homes, there is a 1,000 square mile Exclusion Zone around the facility that no unauthorized workers are allowed to access. They nevertheless permit tourists to visit.