On 26 April 1986 one of the four reactors at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded. It was the biggest accident of its kind in history – a human and environmental disaster that triggered a political storm that has lasted for decades.
Acute radiation sickness killed 31 people in the first three months, but the leak was blamed for thousands of cancer cases that developed across swathes of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, with figures on predicted deaths ranging from 4,000 to half a million.
Tens of thousands of residents were forced to flee towns such as Pripyat, two miles from the plant, never to return, as the impact of the disaster ricocheted across the continent.
Farms across Europe, as far west as Wales, faced restrictions for decades due to worries that their livestock might be contaminated. And charities still invite children who live in Chernobyl’s exclusion zone to parts of Europe for rest, recuperation and clean air.
What do you remember?
As the anniversary approaches we’d like to hear your memories of what happened when the disaster hit – and the fallout that ensued.
If you live in the region, or other affected parts of Europe, we want hear from you. What do you remember about the disaster? If you were in the region at the time were you forced to flee? Or stay indoors for weeks on end?
How did the disaster change your country in the 30 years that followed? Perhaps you were one of the many thousands of people who left to relocate to other parts of Europe?
If you lived in western Europe can you remember the mood on the streets and how it was reported in the media?
Share your story
Share your story and help contribute to our coverage marking 30 years since the biggest nuclear catastrophe in history.
