In April 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant suffered a catastrophic meltdown. The resulting explosion released some of the reactor core into the atmosphere, creating the worst nuclear accident in history. The subsequent radioactive fallout – some of which fell as far as Wales – resulted in the Exclusion Zone being formed around Chernobyl.

The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone today covers an area of 1,000 square miles (2,600 sq km), including an area that was once home to 120,000 people, most of whom lived in the now abandoned cities of Pripyat and Chernobyl. The Exclusion Zone remains in effect, as the area is considered too contaminated for residential or agricultural use.

Despite the meltdown in Reactor 4, Reactors 1-3 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant continued to be operated, because Ukraine needed the energy. Reactor 3 was only decommissioned in December 2000.

Apart from a handful of radiation hot-spots, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has become a comparatively safe area to visit, as long as you’re staying for only a short time. Due to significant interest in the area, as well as the unique biodiversity there, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was officially declared a tourist attraction in 2011. And with the successful installation of the new sarcophagus, which will seal in the damaged reactor for 100 years, the disaster site is about to see renewed activity.