CASE STUDY – CHERNOBYL AFTERMATH

2nd November 2013
On 26th April 1986, one of the nuclear reactors at the Chernobyl power station exploded. The disaster released 100 times more radiation then the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was the worst nuclear accident in history.
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
The abandoned town of Pripyat was once home to the plant’s workers and their families. The town’s 49,000 inhabitants were told to leave within 36 hours after the explosion due to the incredibly high levels of radiation released, leaving behind homes once occupied by families.
The abandoned town of Pripyat was once home to the plant’s workers and their families. The town’s 49,000 inhabitants were told to leave within 36 hours after the explosion due to the incredibly high levels of radiation released, leaving behind homes once occupied by families.
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
The public swimming baths were once filled with cries of excitement from children. But now the swimming pool has remained desolate for decades, as a 19- mile exclusion zone still remains around the Chernobyl plant.
The public swimming baths were once filled with cries of excitement from children. But now the swimming pool has remained desolate for decades, as a 19- mile exclusion zone still remains around the Chernobyl plant.
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
Some who were forced to flee the evacuation zone suffered long-term effects including cancer and deformities.
Some who were forced to flee the evacuation zone suffered long-term effects including cancer and deformities.
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
Trees are seen sprouting from in between slabs. Everyone nature can be seen gradually reclaiming its terrain
Trees are seen sprouting from in between slabs. Everyone nature can be seen gradually reclaiming its terrain
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
The disaster began at Chernobyl reactor number four, when a power surge occurred during a systems test, causing a series of steam explosions and a fire which sent a plume of radioactive material into the air.
The disaster began at Chernobyl reactor number
four, when a power surge occurred during a systems test, causing a series of steam explosions and a fire which sent a plume of radioactive material into the air.
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
One of the most iconic images from the town is the Ferris wheel in central Pripyat. The amusement park was due to open five days after the disaster, and thus was never used. Time appears to have stood still in a fair ground which should have seen children playing.
One of the most iconic images
from the town is the Ferris wheel in central Pripyat. The amusement park was due to open five days after the disaster, and thus was never used. Time appears to have stood still in
a fair ground which should have seen children playing.
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux
One of the most iconic images from the town is the Ferris wheel in central Pripyat. The amusement park was due to open five days after the disaster, and thus was never used. Time appears to have stood still in a fair ground which should have seen children playing
Scientists say that radiation will affect the Chernobyl area for 48,000 years although it will be safe enough for humans to begin repopulating the area long before then – in about 600 years.(Guardian)
©Helene Demipoulpe Veilleux

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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