Vigil to be held to mark 40 years since Chornobyl disaster

Morning Briefing: Sunday, 26th April

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On this day in 1986 a major accident happened at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, when a reactor exploded during a late-night safety test linked to emergency cooling power systems. This remains the world's worst nuclear accident, with long-term estimates ranging from 4,000 to 16,000 deaths. As we reach this 40-year mark, the Nottingham branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain are holding a vigil today.

Many people that day and in the following weeks continued to work on the site despite the severe radiation risks. They were there to help stabilise the wider site, where other reactors remained operational.

Amongst those were the first responders like the firefighters who were in close contact with the building throughout the night: arriving just before 2am and putting out open fires by 5am.

The "liquidators" - military and civilians who were given the task of dealing with health and safety issues around the incident - number in their hundreds of thousands. The WHO estimated 240,000 people worked at the site in this capacity, though the number could be as much as three times higher.

Michael Holod, Chair of the Nottingham AUGB branch, said: "Forty years on, Chornobyl remains a powerful reminder of the human cost of nuclear disaster and the importance of truth, accountability and environmental responsibility. Today, as Ukraine faces continuing Russian aggression, these lessons are more relevant than ever."

The vigil will take place at the Robin Hood statue, just outside the Castle, at 1pm.

Rally for Ukraine: “There can be no peace while children remain stolen.”

On Saturday, upwards of two hundred people arrived in the rain for a march through the city to once again ensure people do not forget that Ukraine is still embroiled in a war to defend themselves. Speeches were given afterwards where many spoke about the children of Ukraine who have

Morning BriefingShane P