Vivo-UK
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Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the catastrophic disaster at Reactor 4. The explosion remains the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. The fallout from the explosion surpassed that of Hiroshima or Nagasaki and spread across the entire of Europe, even reaching the Eastern Seaboard of the US.
Earlier this week I, along with six others, flew out to Kyiv, Ukraine to visit this infamous place. We were picked up from our hotel early in the morning by our guide, Maxim, and set off towards our destination, passing through many villages resembling those of 'Borat'.
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the catastrophic disaster at Reactor 4. The explosion remains the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. The fallout from the explosion surpassed that of Hiroshima or Nagasaki and spread across the entire of Europe, even reaching the Eastern Seaboard of the US.
Earlier this week I, along with six others, flew out to Kyiv, Ukraine to visit this infamous place. We were picked up from our hotel early in the morning by our guide, Maxim, and set off towards our destination, passing through many villages resembling those of 'Borat'.
To reach Pripyat you must pass through three military checkpoints, each requiring different permission. These are the 30km zone, the 10km zone, and the Pripyat city limit. Not everyone who can enter the 30km zone is allowed to enter the 10km zone, and again with Pripyat which is reserved almost strictly for photographers.
Driving through the 30km zone we could see literally hundreds of abandoned buildings within the surrounding forest. 300,000 people were rehoused due to the disaster. 'Chernobyl 2' was also visible on the horizon. The urge to stop and check these out was strong but we had to press on.
Driving away from the 10km zone.
The 10km zone is reserved for those who still work at Chernobyl Powerstation. At the moment the powerplant is still operational but is in the process of being decommisioned.
Reactors 5 and 6, which were still being built at the time of the explosion.
An unfinished cooling tower for Reactor 5.
The main powerstation offices. These building join all the reactors together.
This was the last point along the road before photography was restricted. You can see Reactor 3 in the background with Reactor 4 behind that.
After the explosion at Reactor 4 the people of Pripyat flocked on the railway bridge just outside the city to get a good view of the reactor and see what had happened. Initially, everyone was told that radiation level was minimal and that they were safe. Little did they know that much of the radiation had been blown onto this bridge in a huge spike. The levels here were very near lethal.
Right now enough of the stories, and just some photos. If you do want to read about each photo, simply click it to go to the flickr page.
Sorry if I've done something wrong. This is my first report.
Earlier this week I, along with six others, flew out to Kyiv, Ukraine to visit this infamous place. We were picked up from our hotel early in the morning by our guide, Maxim, and set off towards our destination, passing through many villages resembling those of 'Borat'.
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the catastrophic disaster at Reactor 4. The explosion remains the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. The fallout from the explosion surpassed that of Hiroshima or Nagasaki and spread across the entire of Europe, even reaching the Eastern Seaboard of the US.
Earlier this week I, along with six others, flew out to Kyiv, Ukraine to visit this infamous place. We were picked up from our hotel early in the morning by our guide, Maxim, and set off towards our destination, passing through many villages resembling those of 'Borat'.
To reach Pripyat you must pass through three military checkpoints, each requiring different permission. These are the 30km zone, the 10km zone, and the Pripyat city limit. Not everyone who can enter the 30km zone is allowed to enter the 10km zone, and again with Pripyat which is reserved almost strictly for photographers.
Driving through the 30km zone we could see literally hundreds of abandoned buildings within the surrounding forest. 300,000 people were rehoused due to the disaster. 'Chernobyl 2' was also visible on the horizon. The urge to stop and check these out was strong but we had to press on.
Driving away from the 10km zone.
The 10km zone is reserved for those who still work at Chernobyl Powerstation. At the moment the powerplant is still operational but is in the process of being decommisioned.
Reactors 5 and 6, which were still being built at the time of the explosion.
An unfinished cooling tower for Reactor 5.
The main powerstation offices. These building join all the reactors together.
This was the last point along the road before photography was restricted. You can see Reactor 3 in the background with Reactor 4 behind that.
After the explosion at Reactor 4 the people of Pripyat flocked on the railway bridge just outside the city to get a good view of the reactor and see what had happened. Initially, everyone was told that radiation level was minimal and that they were safe. Little did they know that much of the radiation had been blown onto this bridge in a huge spike. The levels here were very near lethal.
Right now enough of the stories, and just some photos. If you do want to read about each photo, simply click it to go to the flickr page.
Sorry if I've done something wrong. This is my first report.
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