The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986, involved a catastrophic explosion at Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. The initial response included a delayed evacuation of Pripyat and efforts by firefighters and plant workers, many of whom suffered from acute radiation sickness. Long-term health effects have led to increased cancer rates, particularly thyroid cancer. As of 2024, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone remains a largely unin