Chernobyl: 35 years after the worst nuclear disaster, a tour in pictures

Argentina



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On April 26, 1986, in the early hours of the day, an accident occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant during a test to simulate a power failure. The infamous accident resulted in the deaths of 31 people, hit by nuclear power 200 times that of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs combined. Around 135,000 people had to be evacuated soon after.

The number of deaths since then due to genetic disorders, internal organ malformations and radiation cancer is uncertain. Some estimates put the figure at 500,000 dead.

After 35 years of accidents and after the success of the HBO 2019 series, today Chernobyl has found a new life: tourism.

Aerial photo from April 1986 showing the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, site of the world's worst nuclear accident
Aerial photo from April 1986 showing the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, site of the world’s worst nuclear accidentSTR – AP
On April 26, 1986, the fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, spreading radioactivity across Ukraine, Belarus and parts of Europe.
On April 26, 1986, the fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, spreading radioactivity across Ukraine, Belarus and parts of Europe.Anatoli Kliashchuk – Sygma
Around 135,000 people had to be evacuated shortly after the accident
Around 135,000 people had to be evacuated shortly after the accidentAnatoli Kliashchuk – Sygma
Valia Voronkova, a young Russian woman who lost her leg as a result of the Chernobyl disaster, during her last fitting for a prosthesis
Valia Voronkova, a young Russian woman who lost her leg as a result of the Chernobyl disaster, during her last fitting for a prosthesisAnatoli Kliashchuk – Sygma
The "liquidators" these were the personnel called in to assist with the clean-up operations after the disaster.
The “liquidators” were personnel called in to help with the clean-up operations after the disaster.Deposit
Some residents were reluctant to withdraw despite the radiation
Some residents were reluctant to withdraw despite the radiationAnatoli Kliashchuk – Sygma
On April 7, 1996, a service engineer supervised the work of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the explosion of which in 1986 sent radioactive clouds across Europe.
On April 7, 1996, a service engineer supervised the work of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the explosion of which in 1986 sent radioactive clouds across Europe.GLEB GARANICH
Ukrainian children Igor, 12, Natalia, 10, and Anna, 13, victims of radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl power plant explosion, receive treatment for psoriasis and alopecia in hospital for children of Tarara, outside Havana, April 26, 2005. Since 1990, Cuba has treated 18,000 Ukrainian children free of charge for illnesses attributable to radioactivity caused by the reactor collapse years before their birth.
Ukrainian children Igor, 12, Natalia, 10, and Anna, 13, victims of radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl power plant explosion, receive treatment for psoriasis and alopecia in hospital for children in Tarara, outside Havana, April 26, 2005. Since 1990, Cuba has treated 18,000 Ukrainian children free of charge for illnesses attributable to radioactivity caused by the reactor collapse years before their birth.CLAUDIA DAUT – Archives / REUTERS
Chernobyl postcards 35 years after the nuclear disaster
Chernobyl postcards 35 years after the nuclear disasterShutterstock
A theater in the abandoned city of Pripyat, home to 45,000 people, which was completely evacuated some 36 hours after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine. Photo taken on September 17, 2013
A theater in the abandoned city of Pripyat, home to 45,000 people, which was completely evacuated some 36 hours after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine. Photo taken on September 17, 2013WILLIAM DANIELS – NYTNS
A helmet sits next to animal bones in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
A helmet sits next to animal bones in the Chernobyl Exclusion ZoneShutterstock
Workers sweep away radioactive dust in front of "sarcophagus" covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April 2006. Staff on site only work a few minutes due to the high levels of radiation still emanating from the reactor
Workers sweep radioactive dust in front of the “sarcophagus” covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April 2006. Staff at the site only work a few minutes due to the high levels of radiation still emanating from the reactor.GENIA SAVILOV – AFP
Celebrating 50 years of the city of Pripyat, tourists and former locals gather in what remains of the city abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986
Celebrating 50 years of the city of Pripyat, tourists and former locals gather in what remains of the city abandoned after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986Efrem Lukatsky – AP
Chernobyl postcards 35 years after the nuclear disaster
Chernobyl postcards 35 years after the nuclear disasterShutterstock
A vast structure was built to enclose the original steel containment sarcophagus and concrete that collapsed at the site of the disaster. This allows cleaning efforts to progress to avoid further radiation emissions.
A vast structure was built to enclose the original steel containment sarcophagus and concrete that collapsed at the site of the disaster. This allows cleaning efforts to progress to avoid further radiation emissions.

WILLIAM DANIELS – NYTNS

In Pripyat, Ukraine, a man takes a selfie with a statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone during a sightseeing tour
In Pripyat, Ukraine, a man takes a selfie with a statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone during a sightseeing tourPavlo Gonchar – SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire
In the city of Pripyat, tourists and old locals gather in what remains of the abandoned city after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986
In the city of Pripyat, tourists and old locals gather in what remains of the abandoned city after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986Efrem Lukatsky – AP
Przewalski's horses are an endangered species native to Asia that surprisingly thrives in the radiation contaminated area
Przewalski’s horses are an endangered species native to Asia that surprisingly thrives in the radiation contaminated areaALEKSNDR SIROTA – AFP
Tourists pose in an old school with discarded gas masks in Pripyat, Ukraine. The exclusion zone around Chernobyl is gaining popularity as a tourist destination due to the series aired in 2019
Tourists pose in an old school with discarded gas masks in Pripyat, Ukraine. The exclusion zone around Chernobyl is gaining popularity as a tourist destination due to the series aired in 2019BRYAN DENTON – NYTNS
Buildings surrounded by barbed wire in the ghost town of Pripyat
Buildings surrounded by barbed wire in the ghost town of PripyatEfrem Lukatsky – AP
Fire in exclusion zone surrounding Chernobyl plant caused radiation level to rise
Fire in exclusion zone surrounding Chernobyl plant caused radiation level to riseAFP
General view of the construction of a new protective shelter to be placed on the remains of nuclear reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine. Photograph taken in April 2016
General view of the construction of a new protective shelter to be placed on the remains of nuclear reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine. Photograph taken in April 2016PILIPEY ROMAIN – EPA
This Thursday, February 24, 2011, an archive photo shows workers and visitors walking in protective clothing on the grounds of the Ukrainian Chernobyl nuclear power plant. For the visitor, Chernobyl places great demands on the imagination: much of what is important can only be constructed in the mind. From the outside, the building where a reactor exploded 35 years ago in the world's worst nuclear disaster looks like an ordinary, boring industrial complex.
This Thursday, February 24, 2011, an archive photo shows workers and visitors walking in protective clothing on the grounds of the Ukrainian Chernobyl nuclear power plant. For the visitor, Chernobyl places great demands on the imagination: much of what is important can only be constructed in the mind. From the outside, the building where a reactor exploded 35 years ago in the world’s worst nuclear disaster looks like an ordinary, boring industrial complex.Alexander Zemlianichenko – AP
An office in the ghost town of Pripyat
An office in the ghost town of PripyatEfrem Lukatsky – AP
Tourists and old locals gather in what remains of the abandoned city of Pripyat after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986
Tourists and old locals gather in what remains of the abandoned city of Pripyat after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986Efrem Lukatsky – AP
A mural in the abandoned town of Pripyat
A mural in the abandoned town of PripyatEfrem Lukatsky – AP
Przewalski's horses roam near a forest road in the Chernobyl zone on April 13, 2021
Przewalski’s horses roam near a forest road in the Chernobyl zone on April 13, 2021SERGEI SUPINSKY – AFP

Text: María Amasanti

Photo editing: Enrique Villegas

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