International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

On this day, in 1986, the Cherobyl accident took place at a nuclear reactor plant at Chernobyl, Ukraine. The nuclear reactor went out of control during a low power test, which caused a massive explosion and the reactor building being engulfed in flames. The incident led to massive amounts of radiation being released into the atmosphere. The radiation soon spread across many parts of Europe causing severe mutations in animals, plants and humans, which has been affecting multiple generations ever since.

It has been 37 years since the Chernobyl tragedy took place. Since then many protective measures have been taken to prevent such a disaster from occurring. The designs of the nuclear reactors in many countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been monitored for weaknesses. Better designs, shutdown mechanisms and upgrades have been made. 

The Chernobyl disaster affected the lives of millions of people, the effects of which can even been seen today. It is estimated that the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone will be inhabitable for a minimum of 20,000 more years. This is why the UN decided to mark this day as the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day to observe the tragedy that happened.