The UN observes International Chernobyl tragedy Remembrance Day on April 26 to remember the anniversary of the 1986 nuclear tragedy.
The Chernobyl Day commemorates the victims and survivors of the nuclear tragedy and raises awareness about its long-term impact.
The 38th anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear tragedy is April 26th, 2024.
Background:
- On December 8, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution.
- A/RES/71/125 designates April 26th as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day annually.
- On April 26, 2017, the first International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day was observed.
The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, during a scheduled 20-second shutdown of the Number 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
A catastrophic explosion resulted in the release of 520 radionuclides.
The extent of contamination is:
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- Approximately 8.4 million persons were exposed in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.
- 155,000 square kilometers (sq. km) of land have been poisoned, accounting for half of Italy’s total territory.
- 52,000 sq. km of agricultural area, greater than Denmark, was contaminated with cesium-137 and strontium-90, with half-lives of 30 and 28 years, respectively.
- The Chernobyl tragedy is one of two nuclear accidents rated 7 (large accident) on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale.
- The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear catastrophe in Japan occurred in 2011.
- A category 7 event is the most serious, releasing significant amounts of radioactive material into the environment and causing broad consequences.