It has been 35 years since the worst nuclear accident in history at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in the former Soviet Union, 26 days ago.

Nuclear power plant that caused the accident, but measures such as have followed covered a huge shelter to prevent the spread of radioactive material, concrete prospect towards decommissioning is not still standing.

At the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, on April 26, 1986, an explosion occurred at Unit 4, which was in test operation, and a large amount of radioactive material was released.



In this accident, about 30 people including firefighters who were working to extinguish the fire were exposed to a large amount of radiation and died, and many children developed thyroid cancer. The health hazard has spread.



It has been 35 years since the accident occurred 26 days ago, and events will be held locally to commemorate the victims.



After the explosion of Unit 4 was covered with a structure such as concrete called "sarcophagus", a huge shelter covering the "sarcophagus" from the outside will be installed in 2019 to prevent the scattering of radioactive materials. Measures are continuing.



However, nuclear power plant personnel, such as talking with "200 tons or more and what to do the nuclear fuel to be seen. There is only proceed step by step to not give up" for NHK, concrete prospect towards decommissioning is not still standing Hmm.

The number of tourists touring such as ruins is increasing rapidly

The area within 30 kilometers of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant that caused the accident is still off limits.



At that time, in the town of Pripyat, where people who worked at the nuclear power plant and their families lived, buildings such as apartments and government buildings have been left unattended.



Regarding the accident, the drama produced by an American television station in 2019 became a big topic as it reproduced the situation at that time in detail.



This also triggered a surge in tourists from Europe and the United States entering areas within 30 kilometers with the permission of the authorities, and according to the Ukrainian government, 2019 will be 70% higher than the previous year 10 Over 10,000 people visited.



Currently, due to the spread of the new coronavirus, foreign tourists are rarely seen, but many Ukrainian tour tourists visit Pripyat and other places to see the ruined buildings. Was there.



A tourist man said, "I was able to understand how many people were forced out of their homes or died because of human mistakes."



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that he will develop the site as a tourist destination and is considering aiming to be registered as a World Heritage Site.

A woman who escaped from an abortion doctor and gave birth

Approximately 50,000 people, including those who worked at the nuclear power plant and their families, lived in the town of Pripyat, about 3 kilometers away from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, but all of them were evacuated due to the accident.



Marina Baranova (60), who lives in the suburbs of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is one of them.



Marina, who was sleeping in the dormitory of the nuclear power plant worker who was working at the time of the accident, said, "I woke up with a loud noise. It seems that sparks are flying at the nuclear power plant, and it turns red, orange, and yellow. It was dyed. "



At that time, Marina said she was pregnant and was forced to have an abortion by a doctor because the accident could affect her fetus.



However, Marina, who had a strong desire to give birth, escaped from the hospital and gave birth to her eldest son, Artem, at another medical institution.



According to Marina, there were other women at the time who had an abortion forced by their doctors.



Marina's son, 34-year-old Artem, who works for a bank in Kiev, complains of visual impairment, such as the occasional rainbow-colored circle.



"I feel happy to have a son," said Marina. "We must accept everything Heaven has given us and live."



On the other hand, Mr. Marina urged the government to expand its support for the victims, relying only on a small pension and a monthly government support of about 800 yen.



Olena Panchuk (48), who is originally from Pripyat and lives in Kiev, is working to support these people.



As a journalist, Olena is working to keep a record of the victims, listening to her experiences at the time and her worries about her current life.



Mr. Olena said that the government has indicated a policy to develop Chernobyl as a tourist destination, "Tourists take selfies and post on SNS etc., but do not forget the existence of the affected people. I want it. "