Kyiv: Nearly four decades after the world’s worst nuclear disaster, a Ukrainian man who helped contain the explosion at Chernobyl says very few of his fellow responders are still alive.
Petro Hurin, now 76, was among thousands of workers sent to the site in 1986 to limit the damage after a reactor exploded at the nuclear plant. Like many others, he was part of the group known as liquidators who were tasked with cleaning up radioactive debris and building a protective cover over the destroyed reactor.
Hurin recalls that within days of working at the site, he began to feel seriously unwell. He experienced headaches, weakness, chest pain and bleeding, symptoms that were later linked to radiation exposure. At the time, he says doctors avoided clearly diagnosing radiation sickness, reflecting the secrecy that surrounded the disaster in the Soviet Union.
Out of the 40 men from his team, only five are still alive today. He says none of the survivors are in good health and describes their condition as a slow and painful decline over the years.
Hurin himself suffers from several chronic illnesses, including anaemia, heart problems and pancreatic disease. These long term health effects are widely reported among those who worked at the disaster site.
The explosion at Chernobyl in 1986 forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes and spread radioactive material across large parts of Europe. Around 600,000 people were involved in the clean up operation, often working in dangerous conditions with limited protection.
Experts say the long term death toll from radiation exposure remains difficult to measure, but many believe it has claimed thousands of lives over the years.
Today, the site remains a place of concern. The damaged reactor is covered by a large protective structure, but it requires constant monitoring and maintenance. Recent years have also brought new risks, including disruptions linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine and damage to infrastructure near the plant. Despite these challenges, officials say radiation levels around the site remain under control.
For Hurin, the disaster is not just a memory but a lifelong burden. His personal losses extend beyond his health. He also lost his grandson in the ongoing war in Ukraine, adding another layer of grief to a life shaped by tragedy.
Still, he continues to write music and poetry, finding ways to express his experience. He hopes that the sacrifices made by Chernobyl responders will not be forgotten and that those still living will receive greater recognition and support.
His story is a reminder that the effects of Chernobyl did not end in 1986. For many, they continue to shape lives even today.