Chernobyl disaster: Giant shield begins move towards reactor
Work has begun at Chernobyl in Ukraine to move a giant shield over the site of the world's worst nuclear accident. The concrete and steel arch will eventually cover the remains of the reactor which lost its roof in a catastrophic explosion in 1986. Read more
Forest fire breaks out near Chernobyl nuclear plant
A fire has broken out in woods near Ukraine's disused Chernobyl nuclear plant, the site of a meltdown in 1986. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said about 400 hectares of forest was alight in the exclusion zone around the plant Read more
Ukraine is marking the 25th anniversary of the world's worst nuclear accident - at the Chernobyl power plant. An explosion at one of the plant's reactors sent a plume of radiation across Europe and killed at least 30 people in its immediate aftermath. A disputed number of others died later from radiation-related illnesses. Read more
On Saturday, April 26, 1986, a disaster occurred at Chernobyl reactor No. 4, which has been widely regarded as the worst accident in the history of nuclear power. As a result, reactor No. 4 was completely destroyed and has since been enclosed in a concrete and lead sarcophagus to prevent further escape of radiation. Many of the people living near the nuclear plant have either died, (from radiation caused sicknesses) or their children have serious medical issues, such as weak bones. Large areas of Europe were affected by the accident. The radiation cloud spread as far away as Norway, in Scandinavia. Read more