On April 26, 1986, at 1:23 a.m., the world's worst nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The explosion, described by the United Nations as "the greatest environmental catastrophe in the history of humanity," released 200 times the radioactive fallout of the two nuclear weapons used at the end of World War II.
The radioactive plume traveled over large parts of the former Soviet Union (including Belarus, Ukraine and Russia), across Europe and reaching as far as Greenland and Asia exposing entire populations to levels up to 100 times the normal background radiation.
In Chernobyl Legacy, Magnum photographer Paul Fusco recounts the human aftermath of the tragedy.
On April 26, 1986, the greatest environmental catastrophe in history occurred at Chernobyl spreading a radioactive cloud over large parts of the former Soviet Union. In Chernobyl Legacy, Magnum photographer Paul Fusco recounts the human aftermath of the tragedy.
Note: Not all comments will be posted due to space and time constraints.
Shannon Rose -- Londonderry, NH, USA
May 14, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I am so moved by this story I can barely type. The photographs, commentary, and music are haunting, powerful, and effective. Paul Fusco has done a great service in educating the public in such a personal way through his talent and choice of media. Thank you for the experience...
Ethan -- Falls Church, Virginia, USA
May 1, 2009 at 12:44 AM
The photos are amazing, and tragic. I was deeply moved, and saddened by the images. Holy Fucking Shit I can't believe a place like that exists in our time.
Stephen McCurry -- Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Dec 5, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Mediastorm always has compelling and touching content but the images and story told by Paul Fusco are on another level.It is impossible to pick out any specific section which affects me more than the others but being a parent the images from the Novinki children's asylum drew a tear to my eye.The value we attach to our children is so immense I cannot imagine how a parent would feel to have their child so effected by a man made disaster. Paul Fusco is a phenomenal story teller, thank you for sharing your images with the world.
Monica Colla -- Santa Catarina
Nov 20, 2008 at 8:14 AM
nao sei falar ingles, mas as imagens tocaram meu corasao de uma forma que nao podia deixar de mandar agradecimentos e congratulaoes a uma pessoa que tras ao mundo o sofrimento dos individuos prejudicados. As pessoas sabem q radioatividade e prejudicial, mas talvez nunca estagnaram-se com imagens tam reais!!!
B.Vivek -- Channai, Tamil Nadu, India
Jul 25, 2008 at 5:29 AM
Great dedication to mankind by Paul Fasco. This is the proof about hazards of highly praised energy saviour "Nuclear Reactors". Still these world leaders are not changing their minds and encouraging the renewable energies. Still they wanna go behind the dirty technologies. Including my country Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Dmitiry Gulik -- Germantown, MD US
Jun 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I was born in Belarus right after the Chernobyl accident . At the age of 4 I started loosing all of my hair. I stayed at several hospitals for treatment, but nothing helped. My family moved to America to find better doctors. My hair grew back over the years. I thought I was saved. Two years ago , I developed a bone tumor. The peace of bone in my foot was removed. For now I am healthy, but I don't know what's going start hurting tomorrow. I am glad that there is an effort to educate people about Chernobyl and it's victims. Thank you.
Mal Gillies -- Sydney, NSW, Australia
May 4, 2008 at 10:13 PM
As disturbing as these images are, I'm not opposed to nuclear power as an alternative source of energy for the future, even if it's produced in my own backyard. Chernobyl was a disaster waiting to happen, but with great power comes great responsibility. My deep concern is whether we humans as a race are civilised enough to carry this responsibility. Sadly, I feel we are not there yet. Little comfort for the human toll in the aftermath of Chernobyl that gets swept underneath the carpet of a far away place. This story keeps the memory alive, it's haunting, but most importantly it fuels my desire to leave the world as a better place during my own lifetime.
Anonymous -- Ohio, USA
Feb 15, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I want to keep this anonymous, please.A few summers ago, I worked for Cedar Point, in Sandusky, OH, USA. I live in Toledo, OH, USA. Halfway between Sandusky and Toledo is Davis Besse Nuclear Power Facility.I took a friend, a girl from Ukraine, home with me, to get her out of Sandusky for a while. The foreigners who work for Cedar Point have no other way of commuting out of the city unless they go with a friend who is local. I completely forgot where she was from as we spoke about things at work, and so forth, on the way to Toledo. As I came around the bend, he face turned white, she stopped speaking, and after a few moments she started to cry. I had to stop my car and get out, and take a look around for a moment... in the horizon you could see the huge cooling tower from Davis Besse. I felt terrible because I didn't know her background back home.Her family was from Belarus, and she lost 75% of her family during post-Chernobyl in 1986. I didn't know that she was working in the USA to save money to send home to the remaining family for medicine. She herself had her thyroid removed when it showed it was growing cancerous... I saw the scar from one side of her neck to the other from the surgery, but I never made the connection.These people live in horror every day, of what new thing could explode or malfunction and take away everything they've ever known. Nuclear power has come a long way since then, I'd like to believe, but let's not forget... Davis Besse itsself, only a few years ago, came close to a meltdown of epic proportions as well. It took me nearly an hour to convince Irena that it was ok to drive by this place; this power facility that held such a stigma over her that it rendered her to tears.God Bless to those children, and thank you for this piece.
Matthew -- Brisbane, Queensland- Australia
Dec 5, 2007 at 4:39 AM
I would just like to say that I had always been a strong supporter of nuclear power being used in the future in Australia. However after watching this piece written by Paul Fusco I was horrified by the lingering effects of nuclear fallout. I now feel strongly against this energy source and I believe every person should watch this before making their mind up about nuclear power.
Tony -- Newport, Tipperary, Ireland
Nov 21, 2007 at 12:32 PM
I think that Paul has captured in 4 short minutes what the effect radiation has had on the people of Belarus and the surrounding region.I have been to the orphanages and visited the homes of the affected people there and what astonishes me is how these children and adults will always have a smile for you to greet you despite the terrible atrosity which they have gone through.To comment on Joe's statement below which read's "I am eternally glad that something like this could never happen with today's technology." --- If only this were true. lets not be fooled by technology remember all technology was built by man and as we all know man has its faults. We do not need nuclear power there is plenty of other renewable resources out there which are not utilised.To Melanie, everyone can help. Get in touch with the Chernobyl Childrens Project International (http://www.chernobyl-international.com/) and see what groups are in your area and what help you can give. One way is by awareness and keeping the accident up there in peoples minds and of course fundraising as money goes a long way in Belarus.Paul I would like to thank you for taking the time out to put this piece together . I know it will help spread the word and help the children affected by this disaster.
cody -- chesterfield,michigan,usa
Nov 17, 2007 at 6:26 PM
I just cant believe what happen im a student going to middle school east and we are learing about this.Its just said that these children will never have a normal life due to this accident. It is jsut really sad and I think they should close all the nuclear plants so something cant happen liek this again.We cant even avoid nuclear reaction in our daily lifes any more there some in mircowaves ,telephones and even tv. Its just effecting are daily lifes every day. This video has motived me about this and touched my heart.
Joe -- Columbus, Ohio, USA
Jan 14, 2007 at 11:37 PM
What a truly moving piece. I am eternally glad that something like this could never happen with today's technology. This is a clear but tragic example of learning from past mistakes.
Julie -- New York, USA
Nov 30, 2006 at 8:29 AM
Thanks for providing this space for such important, moving and beautiful content.
Melanie -- Adelaide, South Australia
Nov 1, 2006 at 4:26 AM
I heard about this in a magazine I was reading for a project Im doing. I can't believe my government wants to risk this happening to us on our own soil. What can I do to stop it? How can I help the children in Belarus? What can I do?
Geoffrey Clifford -- San Anselmo, CA, USA
June 15, 2006 at 4:25 PM
At the very beginning of my career in photography, while still in school, I wrote to a handful of photographers for advice. Paul Fusco was the one individual who wrote the most compassionate and helpful reply. I finally met him at Visa Pour L'Image a few years ago; it was such a pleasure to find out that he is, in fact, one of the most gracious and compassionate individual working today in the field of photojournalism.
Darius -- Vilnius, Lithuania
June 14, 2006 at 2:33 AM
Amazing. I was shocked actually. I'm interested in nuclear programs and so on, but I've never saw shots like these before... As the first words say: one wrong button, wrong thought and everything can become the past. It made me think. Thank you!
Juanita Brooks -- Danvers, MA, USA
June 11, 2006 at 10:07 AM
In seeing those pictures of those effected by such a travesty shows how little mankind values human life. Twenty years have passed.
Photography: Paul Fusco
Executive Producer & Director: Andy Patrick
Line Producer: Anne Queenan
Editor & Producer: Robert Hutchings
New York Production Manager: Dario Bigi
Cameras: Mark Foster and Dario Bigi
Music: David Darling
