ICSE Class 10 Answered

This nuclear disaster took place in the Chernobyl power plant located in Ukraine. The latter was a part of former Soviet Russia. The accident occurred on April 26, 1986 when a nuclear reactor at the nuclear power complex at Chernobyl exploded. This resulted in the release of many radioactive gases into the air and the breaking out of fires at several near by places.

This accident is termed as a disaster as thousands of people were exposed to the gas. About 64 of them died due to their exposure to radiation. The rest of the people who were exposed to radiation were later diagnosed with several diseases which were then transferred to their off springs. Such was the intensity of the accident that four square kilometers of pine forests in the nearby area became reddish brown in colour and earned the name of “Red Forests’. Many animals also died in the accident. The growth of many animals was also stunted.

Radioactive gases formed clouds and spread over Poland, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Finland, Italy and France. Water bodies and soil in these European regions are still believed to be contaminated.