Article

The 1986 Chernobyl disaster, caused by human error during a reactor test, remains the largest nuclear accident in history, resulting in acute radiation sickness for 134 workers and 28 fatalities. The incident led to the evacuation of thousands and an increase in thyroid cancer cases due to radioactive exposure, while cleanup efforts involved 600,000 workers facing long-term health issues. Despite its severity, the disaster prompted enhanced nuclear safety protocols, and nuclear energy continues to be a low-carbon alternative compared to fossil fuels.