The Nuclear Accident at Chernobyl

On the 26th of April 1986,  the most severe nuclear accident so far occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. 

 The most important reasons:

• dangerous design of the reactor

• poor safety culture

The direct reason for the accident was consistent violation of rules during the scheduled test of the turbo generator.

The consequences of the accident:

• About 120,000 people were evacuated from the 30 kilometer distance around the power plant.

• About 600,000 people, called liquidators, assisted in removing the consequences of the accident.

• The remains of the reactor were covered with a special structure called a sarcophagus.

• 31 people died as a direct consequence of the accident.

• 30 kilometer exclusion zone is still in place.

• After 15 years the only measurable increase in the frequency of cancer cases among the population is thyroid cancer.

A view of the destroyed reactor building.

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18.12.06 11:08

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