Chernobyl Disaster

ELI5 - What is Chernobyl and why was it such a big disaster? Why is it still relevant?

Chernobyl was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred in April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. During a risky safety test, operators lost control of reactor number 4, causing a massive explosion and fire that released large amounts of radioactive particles into the atmosphere. It became the worst nuclear disaster in history, contaminating nearby areas, displacing thousands of residents, and causing long-term health problems, including increased rates of cancer. The nearby city of Pripyat became an abandoned ghost town, and the area around the reactor remains radioactive and mostly uninhabited today. The disaster highlighted major flaws in nuclear safety and transparency within the Soviet government, influencing nuclear policies globally.

By Alex 22 days ago