These Pictures of the Aftermath of Chernobyl Will Give You The Chills

If you're a fan of HBO's Chernobyl miniseries, you'll love the insight these chilling photos of the tragedy's aftermath offer.

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The Chernobyl tragedy caused by the 1986 Ukraine Nuclear disaster had a much larger impact than most people imagine. Not only was it wide-ranging, but also very long-lasting. After the terrible incident, which you probably learned about if you watched HBO’s miniseries on the subject, Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was left in ruins. Pripyat, a nearby town of nearly 50,000 inhabitants was evacuated and is now a ghost town. However, despite the complete shutdown of both the plant and the neighbouring town, the tragedy and its effect of devastation were well documented through pictures.

Many photos exist of the aftermath of this man-made disaster, both in Ukraine and the surrounding areas. Here are some of the most striking images of the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster that will give you the chills.

16. 1986

People flying in and out of Ukraine had to be scanned for radioactivity.

15. 1986

A man gathers samples to test radioactivity from the Chernobyl site wearing a gas mask.

14. 1986

A Chernobyl engineer being tested after the incident.

13. 1986

Radioactivity levels were a threat all the way to France.

12. 1986

Produce in French market being checked for radiation.

11. 1986

View of the Plant a few months after the incident.

10. 1986

Treatment is being administered to a Soviet man who was present during the explosion at Reactor #4.

9. 1986

The “Elephants Foot” of Chernobyl, a large mass of corium that formed during the disaster. It is very radioactive and dangerous.

8. 1990

Protesters took to the streets of Kiev displeased with the Government’s handling of the situation. The middle sign reads “Hiroshima, 1945, Cherobyl, 1986, Moukatchevo?” Moukatchevo is a city in southern Ukraine.

7. 1995

This young Russian girl lost her leg due to the radiation.

6. 2003

Gas masks covering the floor of an abandoned school.

5. 2003

An abandoned cart ride in Pripyat.

4. 2006

A rather sad mix.

3. 2006

These Ukranian children are late victims of the tragedy. The fumes and radiation affected their development.

2. 2006

This old man is one of around 330 people living illegally in villages around the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the most world’s most radioactive zone.

1. 2016

This sign in Belarus warns of radiation contamination and prohibits the picking of berries and mushrooms. Unfortunately, the effects are still felt from the incident 30 years later.

Source: Men’s Health