Chernobyl

Chernobyl

The Chernobyl disaster of 1986, was the most catastrophic nuclear accident in recorded history. It took place in the city of Pripyat Ukraine, and dominates the energy accidents sub-category of the most disastrous nuclear power plant accident in history, both in terms of costs and casualties. On the 26th of April 1986, 31 people lost their lives, and 134 more obtained high enough doses of radiation to receive acute radiation syndrome, at the same time changing their lives forever.

This catastrophe occurred during a during a late-night safety test which simulated a station blackout power failure, in which safety systems were deliberately turned off. After a combination of inherent reactor design flaws, and the operators arranging the power core in the wrong way, it started to react negatively uncontrollably. Water turned to steam, and generated a deadly and destructive explosion, as well as an open air graphite fire. This fire produces considerable up-drafts for around 9 days. 

Today, the remains of what is called "The No.4 reactor building" are enclosed in a large cover which has been named the "Object shelter" as it still radiates with toxins, and may stay under this dome like figure for eternity.

The"Object Shelter" in Pripyat Ukraine