1986.04.26.Chernobyl disaster

1986.04.26.Chernobyl disaster – explosion and then burning into the atmosphere of the 4th reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear plant at Pripiat.

The amount of radioactivity released is estimated from \(50\times10^6\) Curie to \(10^{12}\) Curie  ("bilion curie"). The estimates \(10^{18}\) Becquerel are also suggested. (\(1 \rm Kurie = 3.7\times 10^{10}\) Bq )

The number of victims is estimated from \(10^2\) to \(10^7\).

According to the Soviet publications, first, the accident was not heavy; but after few days of work of "liquidators", the most of nuclear fuel was released into the atmosphere, together with thousands ton of sand delivered with helicopters. The remain of the reactor is believed to be used as a pretext for the money laundry in century 21.

The Chernobyl disaster is considered as illustration, that if serious problem with the cooling system of the ground–based nuclear reactor, then there is no regular way to stop it. In the similar scale 2011.03.11.Fukushima disaster at Japan, the most of nuclear fuel is believed to remain in the containing vessel.

The more complete article (with references) is available at Chernobyl disaster.