It occurred when an RBMK 1000 reactor overheated and exploded during a safety test, releasing at least 5% of the radioactive reactor core into the environment.
Radiation contaminated drinking water and fish over large distances, destroyed 1.5 square miles (4 km²) of pine forest, and killed or induced mutations in other plants or animals.
Large areas of Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and parts of Europe were contaminated to varying degrees. Here are some interesting facts about Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
#2) The real death toll of the disaster is unknown A 2005 report by the United Nations estimated that up to 4,000 deaths might ultimately result from radiation exposure from the accident.
#3) Evacuations started 36 hours after the accident Many people in Pripyat began suffering from symptoms like headaches and vomiting within hours after the accident.
#4) The “liquidator” status Civil and military personnel exposed to radiation while trying to mitigate the effects of the nuclear disaster were termed “liquidators.”
5) The contamination spread to several areas of Europe Winds and rainfalls, radioactive contamination quickly spread to Russia, Belarus, and some parts of Scandinavia and southeast Europe.
#5) The contamination spread to several areas of Europe Winds and rainfalls, radioactive contamination quickly spread to Russia, Belarus, and some parts of Scandinavia and southeast Europe.