UKRAINE: Hundreds gather to remember Chernobyl victims and workers

Record ID: 216086

  • Title: UKRAINE: Hundreds gather to remember Chernobyl victims and workers
  • Date: 14th December 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LAYING FLOWERS WOMEN WITH PHOTOS OF DEAD RELATIVES PHOTO OF CHERNOBYL VICTIM SOLDIER
  • Embargoed: 29th December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine, Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,History
  • Reuters ID: LVA1RIWUGYAF5V0JESQ15YM0HC94
  • Story Text: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and government officials joined Chernobyl nuclear disaster victims' families and former plant workers on Tuesday (December 14) in Kiev to remember both those who died in the disaster, as well as the "liquidators," workers who were drafted to clean up the disaster and still face its ill effects.
    The fourth reactor at Chernobyl ruptured on April 26, 1986, causing explosions and sending a nuclear cloud over Ukraine and a large part of Western Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. December 14, known as "Liquidators Day," marks the day 24 years ago when the leaking reactor was sealed in a cement sarcophagus, containing most of its radiation.
    Dozens of first responders died soon after the disaster, but many who were called later to work in its aftermath were exposed to extremely high levels of radiation and have suffered from the fallout since then.
    "They with the help of God have displayed the utmost possible heroism. They have given their lives for those who lived here and were unaware of this accident," said Ukrainian Orthodox Vicar Bishop of the Kiev Diocese Ilarly.
    Soldiers laid a wreath at a monument in Kiev dedicated to the victims, and Yanukovich and attendees laid flowers and lit candles amongst photographs of the dead.
    Lidia Malikhato, whose husband died in the disaster, said she came to remember him.
    "I come here every year on this day to my husband. Here is his portrait," Malikhato said.
    Others criticised the government's show of sympathy, when so many who are still suffering from the disaster live on meagre wages in the cash-strapped ex-Soviet country of approximately 40 million.
    "The whole society and the international community only pays attention to Chernobyl. But there were people who took part. Here they are. But the state doesn't take care of them. As they say here, 'Man dies and problems die with him.' But at least they should insure that the 98,000 disabled living in Ukraine get even the minimal pension," said Sergei Krasilnikov.
    The memorial came on the heels of an announcement just the day before, that the Ukrainian government would open the sealed zone around reactor four to tourists who want to get a better understanding of the worst nuclear disaster in history.
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