2. The worst nuclear
accident that occurred on 26
April 1986 at the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Plant in
Ukraine.
An explosion and fire
released large quantities of
radioactive particles into the
atmosphere, which spread
over the area.
3. The disaster began during
a system test at reactor
number 4 of the
Chernobyl plant. There
was a sudden and
unexpected power flow,
and led to a series of
steam explosions.
4. On the morning of 28 April,
workers at the Forsmark
Nuclear Power Plant
(approximately 1,100 km from
the Chernobyl site) were found
to have radioactive particles on
their clothes, yet there was no
accident occurred in their area.
5. SICKNESS
Within a few hours of the
explosion, many
townspeople of Pripyat
fell ill. Later, they reported
severe headaches and
metallic tastes in their
mouths.
6. DEATH
A report places the total
confirmed deaths from
radiation at 64 as of 2008.
Some emergency workers
died because of radiation
syndrome, nine children who
died of thyroid cancer and an
estimated total of 3940
deaths from radiation-
induced cancer and leukemia.
7. MUTANTS
Mutations in both
humans and other
animals increased.
On farms in Narodychi
Raion of Ukraine, for
instance, in the first four
years of the disaster
nearly 350 animals were
born with gross.
8. RADIATION
Even today, radiation
levels are so high that the
workers responsible for
rebuilding the
sarcophagus are only
allowed to work five hours
a day for one month
9. AREA
An area extending 31 km in all
directions from the plant is
known as the "zone of
alienation."
It is largely uninhabited,
except for a few residents
who have refused to leave.
The area has largely reverted
to forest..
10. HISTORY SITE
In 2011, Ukraine opened up
the sealed zone around the
Chernobyl reactor to tourists
who wish to learn more about
the tragedy that occurred in
1986.
Recovery projects had also
been conducted in order to
decontaminate the effect of
Chernobyl.
