Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (1986, Ukraine)

On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed one of the worst nuclear disasters in history at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine. During a late-night safety test, reactor No. 4 exploded due to design flaws and operator errors, releasing massive amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere. The explosion caused immediate deaths and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents from nearby towns.

Radioactive fallout spread across Europe, leaving long-term environmental and health consequences, including cancer and birth defects. The Soviet Union attempted to contain the disaster by constructing a massive concrete sarcophagus around the reactor. Decades later, Chernobyl remains a haunting reminder of the dangers of nuclear power mismanagement, as well as a site of scientific study and dark tourism.