The radiation after the plant accident is equal to 500 atomic bombs
The radioactive materials released into the atmosphere after the plant exploded are equivalent to 500 atomic bombs, such as those dropped by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 90% of the plant's nuclear fuel is released into the atmosphere. The column of smoke reaches tens of meters in height.
Firefighters heroes
More than 100 fire trucks were sent to the scene to put out the fire. However, firefighters are the people who absorb most of the radiation. 31 of them died during the fire.
The fire was extinguished by helicopters
Of these, sand and clay are poured on the exploded reactor, as well as other special mixtures to prevent new explosions. At the time, however, no one knew that these actions further raised the temperature of the burning reactor. They managed to deal with the flames ten days after the accident. More than 600,000 people from all over the USSR took part in the elimination of the consequences.
The delayed warning
Most of the residents of the nearby town of Pripyat found out about the accident hours after the incident began. And as their lives go on as usual, the radiation spreads like wildfire with the help of the wind.
The affected area
The total area of †‹вЂ‹ the infected Ukrainian territory is 50 thousand square kilometers in 12 districts of the country. In addition, about 150,000 square kilometers are no longer habitable.
The ghost town
The entire population of Pripyat - 47,500 people, must leave the city the day after the accident. However, 300 people will return there in about a month. They settled in an area later called the Exclusion Zone. For 20 years, their relatives were not allowed.
The victims
The death toll remains unknown, but all victims are in the range of the accident. 250,000 people were evacuated, and the death toll is likely to be close to 10,000.
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The first to die of radiation sickness
134 people, who are on the territory of the damaged block, immediately fall ill with radiation sickness. In just one month, 28 of them died in agony. 8.4 million people are exposed to radiation - residents of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
Chernobyl is becoming a tourist destination
In recent years, there has been great interest in the city from tourists who love extreme experiences. They are accompanied by local people - stalkers, show them the abandoned homes, schools, hotels, institutions. But only from a distance can the destroyed power plant be seen.
It is risky to approach even trucks, armored vehicles and helicopters, as they are charged with a large amount of radiation. Tourists also meet with the residents of the Exclusion Zone, listen to their stories - why they returned to their hometown, despite the ban of the authorities, and how they adapted to the dangerous place. The cost of the trip is about $ 350.
The new life
For some time after the accident, two units continued to operate, serviced by hundreds of workers and engineers. For them, the authorities are forced to build a new town - Slavutic. Now it is the youngest settlement in Ukraine. And the favorite black joke of its inhabitants is: "Life is wonderful, but very short."