Tjernobylolyckan

Tjernobylolyckan, commonly known in English as the Chernobyl disaster, was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. The accident took place during a late-night safety test on the reactor number 4. A combination of flawed reactor design, coupled with serious mistakes made by the plant operators, led to an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction. This resulted in a sudden and violent power surge that caused a series of steam explosions.

These explosions ruptured the reactor core and exposed its radioactive materials to the atmosphere. A subsequent fire burned for days, further spreading radioactive contamination. The immediate aftermath saw the evacuation of the surrounding area, including the city of Pripyat, which has since become a ghost town. The long-term health consequences for those exposed to the radiation have been a subject of significant study and concern.

The Tjernobylolyckan is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history in terms of cost and casualties. It had profound environmental, economic, and social impacts, not only in Ukraine but also across much of Europe. The disaster led to increased global scrutiny of nuclear safety regulations and practices. A large exclusion zone remains around the plant, though parts of it are now accessible for controlled tourism and scientific research.