International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2020

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed on 26 April to raise awareness of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and the risks of nuclear energy in general.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was built in 1977. It was built to help make electricity for the infrastructure of the Soviet Union (present Pripyat, Ukraine) to develop economic growth.

On 26 April 1986, a reactor in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant experienced a catastrophic explosion and fire. It released unprecedented levels of radioactive materials into the atmosphere.

The accident caused a relatively small number of casualties but left long-lasting, damaging consequences.

The main danger that caused radiation exposure to over 8.4 million people was due to air pollution.

The day was first observed in 2016 with an aim to teach people about the history of this incident, observe the consequences of what happened, and prevent future events from happening again.