Skip to content

Renewable Energy

Ukraine marks 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster

by Laura Brown 26 Apr 2011
Ukraine marks 25th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster

Image: Chernobyl hospital

Candlelit vigils and church services are being held across Europe to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

Just after midnight on 26 April 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, just 60 miles north of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, exploded. Over 350,000 people were evacuated. 30 people died in the immediate aftermath, including firefighters and workers exposed to huge levels of radiation, and vast swathes of Eastern Europe were left contaminated.

It was, and remains, the world's worst nuclear disaster. Comparisons have inevitably been drawn between Chernobyl and the nuclear accident at Fukushima in Japan, caused by March's earthquake and tidal wave which left the nuclear power plant damaged.

Yet in terms of impact, figures from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency estimate the plant spilled between 370,000 and 630,000 terabecquerels of radioactivity. Chernobyl released 5, 200,000.

The accident was caused by tests being run at the plant to see how it would cope with a temporary shutdown of its cooling system. When the accident happened, the plant was still running, albeit at a lower level. For three days Moscow released no news about the accident. 1.5 tonnes of highly radioactive material had blasted into the air. The damaged unit burnt for almost ten days.

Measuring the longterm health impact has been problematic. A study of 825,000 people in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine in the years following the disaster attempted to measure sicknesses like cancer and the effects of radiation poisoning. Some environmental groups have placed the death toll at six figures. The UN's World Health Organisation said at a conference in Kiev in the week running up to the anniversary that among the 600,000 people most heavily exposed to the radiation, 4,000 more cancer deaths than average are expected to be eventually found.

Meanwhile survivors and those displaced who mark the anniversary mourning lost loved ones bemoan couples unable to have children, grandchildren who become ill. A 19 mile exclusion zone remains around the plant, a chilling reminder of the ongoing threat to the local communities that the plant holds.

In Moscow a commitment to learn from the mistakes of Chernobyl, as well as providing a more long-lasting legacy from the disaster are promised by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who describes it as a common pain for the people of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Along with 27 other countries they are building a new protective cover for Chernobyl, replacing the hastily built shelter that has remained since the disaster. At 100m high, 250m wide and 160m long it will be the largest structure of its kind in the world.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping