Chernobyl

On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant experienced two steam explosions, resulting in the worst nuclear accident in history. The explosions released radioactive contamination into the atmosphere, spreading across the Soviet Union, Europe, and neighboring Belarus. A clean-up operation involving over half a million personnel and a cost of $68 billion was undertaken, with an estimated 4,000 deaths from disaster-related illnesses in the following 20 years. 350,000 people were evacuated, and much of the area returned to the wild. Chernobyl provides a photographic exploration of the catastrophe and its aftermath, featuring 180 authentic photos of the reactor wreckage, clean-up operation, cooling pond, and ghost town of Pripyat.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Amber Books Ltd

On April 26, 1986, near the Ukrainian town of Pripyat, an unthinkable tragedy unfolded. Two massive steam explosions rocked No. 4 Reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, resulting in the immediate loss of 30 lives and initiating the most devastating nuclear accident in history. Tragically, these explosions were followed by an open-air reactor core fire, which released massive amounts of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere for nine consecutive days. This contamination spread far and wide, affecting the Soviet Union, parts of Europe, and particularly neighboring Belarus, where approximately 70% of the waste landed.

The subsequent clean-up operation, involving over half a million personnel and a staggering cost of $68 billion, was an immense undertaking. Additionally, it is estimated that 4,000 people succumbed to disaster-related illnesses in the following 20 years. As a result of the accident, approximately 350,000 people were evacuated, including 95 villages in Belarus. Much of the affected area has since reclaimed its natural state, with the nearby city of Pripyat now a haunting ghost town.

Chernobyl offers a poignant and powerful visual journey through the catastrophe and its aftermath. Through 180 authentic photographs, the book provides a unique perspective on the twisted wreckage of No. 4 Reactor, the root cause of the nuclear disaster. It showcases historic images of the clean-up operation, where helicopters sprayed decontamination liquid and liquidators manually cleared radioactive debris. The book also delves into the massive cooling pond, once used to cool the reactors, which has become a sanctuary for wildlife, despite the lingering radiation. Furthermore, it explores the desolate ghost town of Pripyat, with its decaying apartment blocks, empty basketball courts, abandoned amusement park, wrecked schools, and deserted streets.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of human error and the importance of safety measures in the nuclear industry. Chernobyl remains a haunting testament to the human cost of nuclear accidents and the ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks associated with nuclear power.

Weight: 918g
Dimension: 251 x 195 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838862121