Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (3/6)
This is also part of this series: Surviving Disaster (6)
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| Subjects: Disaster Preparedness, Global Issues, Health Issues, History, Nuclear Power, Science | ||||
In April 1986, an explosion at a Soviet nuclear plant released four hundred times more radiation into the atmosphere than the Hiroshima bomb. The horrific events at Chernobyl are explored in the latest episode of this drama documentary series, which recounts the story once shrouded in secrecy from the perspective of Valeri Legasov. Legasov was the scientist responsible for leading the investigation into the explosion but, two years later, he committed suicide. His death sent shock waves through the Soviet nuclear industry. Few at the heart of this nuclear crisis knew the truth surrounding the events leading up to the explosion, which left many people severely exposed to radiation and facing certain death. Surviving Disaster follows the inside battle to deal with the immediate aftermath of the explosion, as personnel at the plant battled to prevent meltdown, as well as the investigation that was held into the disaster. Though the official death toll is 31, the true toll stands much higher. The UN estimates that at least 8,000 people have died from radiation fall-out in neighbouring areas. This dramatic reconstruction from eyewitness accounts exposes a disturbing truth: that those living and working around Chernobyl were victims not just of the radiation, but of the secrets and denials of those they trusted. PLEASE NOTE: The series contains some disturbing and graphic images. |
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