Moldovan president says Chernobyl stays stark warning about nuclear danger, extent of disaster it can cause

Chernobyl stays a stark warning about the nuclear danger and the extent of the disaster which such an accident can cause. President Maia Sandu today conveyed a message to this effect, in the context of marking 39 years since the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe.

The head of state noted that over 3,500 compatriots at that time had responded and contributed to limiting the effects of the radioactive fire.

"Thirty-nine years after the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl; the wounds caused by that tragedy remain open. Over 3,500 compatriots at that time responded and contributed to limiting the effects of the radioactive fire. Many of them are no longer with us, but their courage and sacrifice compel us not to forget. Today, we bow to the memory of those who saved millions of lives," said Maia Sandu.

The official emphasized that the war waged by Russia in Ukraine had brought the threat of a nuclear accident back to the forefront.

"Chernobyl stays a stark warning about the nuclear danger and the extent of the disaster that such an accident can cause. The lesson is essential: the life, health of people and environmental protection must always come first. The war waged by Russia in Ukraine has brought the threat of a nuclear accident back to the forefront. Therefore, for a secure future, we need collective responsibility, strict rules, effective supervision and solid international cooperation in the field," said Maia Sandu.

Today, we mark 39 years since reactor four of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant exploded, affecting all of Europe. During the fire, which consumed the reactor for ten days, huge amounts of radioactive substances were released into the atmosphere.

According to a study, almost one million people from various parts of the globe died because of the radioactive contamination caused by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The worst hit countries, besides those from the former USSR, were Norway, Sweden, Finland, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, Greece and extensive parts of Germany and the United Kingdom.