Events of Chernobyl with the Naked Eye
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster was one of the most tragic events in history, which had enormous consequences not only in Ukraine but also worldwide. As a result of the April explosion, many people lost their lives, while many others struggled with severe health problems in the following years. The accident shocked everyone and highlighted the risks associated with the use of nuclear energy. The effects of the events were felt not only by those directly affected but also by neighboring countries, including Hungary.
Post-disaster period
The period following the disaster was extremely chaotic, especially in terms of information dissemination. Local authorities and civil protection workers faced the challenge of dealing with panic and fears while the public increasingly demanded proper information. All these circumstances caused numerous difficulties for local communities and complicated the work of civil protection.
The relationship between Chernobyl and Hungarian civil protection
The effects of the Chernobyl disaster also significantly impacted Hungarian civil protection. During the events, Levente Berényi, the head of the Civil Protection in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, experienced the events as the leader of the nearest command. After the accident, the information received by the command was scarce, and practically no specific information was available. The only measure was the intensified duty ordered four days after the explosion, the purpose of which was initially unclear.
The public first learned about the accident through statements made on television, but the information provided lacked essential details. Authorities were reluctant to incite panic, so the information was generally vague. Many in the local public did not believe that the radioactive cloud could reach Hungary, as they thought they lived close to the accident site and therefore could not be in danger.
Measurements conducted by civil protection workers indicated that the radiation levels in the county did not increase, but due to the population’s fears, measurements often had to be carried out. In many cases, authorities had to take superficial measures to reassure worried people. For example, when residents of a village observed white powder in the air, civil protection immediately went to the site, where it turned out that the powder was actually fertilizer that had been spread by an airplane.
Information and measures after the disaster
The consequences of the Chernobyl accident affected not only those directly involved but also neighboring countries, including Hungary. Authorities tried to minimize panic, but the lack of information caused much tension. The example of the Fukushima accident shows that Japanese authorities reacted quickly, evacuating the population from the affected area, while in Chernobyl, evacuation only began later, after the necessary trucks were gathered.
The situation in Hungary was particularly complicated, as the Chernobyl air currents diverted the radioactive cloud in another direction, reaching our country as well. The measurements by civil protection, which did not indicate increased radiation, reassured many, but the local population still remained worried. People did not trust the information, and many felt that authorities were concealing the truth.
Authorities often concretized measures in superficial solutions to reassure the population. However, the radiation measured on the chassis of incoming trucks and trains posed a real problem, as radioactive materials were present there as well. At border crossings, already transferred wagons were not allowed to pass, causing panic to spread to neighboring countries, which did not accept incoming shipments.
Health consequences of the Chernobyl disaster
The long-term health consequences of the Chernobyl disaster are still felt today. Many of the liquidators who worked at the site during the accident struggle with severe health problems, and thousands of people lost their lives due to radioactive exposure. Thyroid cancers became particularly widespread following the disaster, and the incidence of the disease surged among liquidators.
Symptoms of radiation sickness, such as nausea, vomiting, spontaneous bleeding, and skin peeling, pose serious problems for infected individuals. The health effects of the disaster impact not only those directly affected but also surrounding communities, as the long-term effects of radioactive materials can manifest even decades later.
In the years following the disaster, Hungarian experts continuously worked to assess the situation and apply the best methods for measuring radiation. Over time, specialists developed technologies that allow for precise measurement of radiation levels and serve to ensure the safety of the population. Thus, the legacy of the Chernobyl disaster serves as a warning not only for the past but also for the future regarding the risks associated with the use of nuclear energy.
