39 years since the Chernobyl atomic power plant catastrophe

26 april 2025

Events

On April 26, 1986, at 1:23 a.m., an explosion occurred at the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP), destroying the reactor and causing widespread consequences. The accident damaged adjacent rooms causing a massive 10-days lasting fire. Over 520 hazardous radionuclides were discharged into the atmosphere, causing significant radioactive contamination.

There turned up 3,678 settlements in Belarus with 2.2 million inhabitants who found themselves living in radioactively contaminated areas, 479 settlements ceased to exist.

Since 1990 the country has implemented 5 state programs aimed at overcoming the consequences of the disaster. The sixth program covering the period until 2025 was launched in 2021.

Despite the bygone decades Chernobyl tragedy remains an important reminder of the need to maintain safety and responsibility for our actions. We learn from past mistakes so as to build a safer future.

Although the «30-Kilometre Zone» (red/alienation zone) around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant remains closed to the public, it is becoming a unique reserve where nature is gradually recovering from the destructive human impact.

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant story highlights the importance of safe and careful nuclear energy use and reminds us of the need to care for our common future.

Source: National Library of Belarus

More news about intellectual property in our social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, VK).