With the world's greatest disaster already underway, the fight to
contain and control the invisible killer was just beginning. Multiple fires, a
reactor core on fire which was billowing radioactive particles into the air,
citizens nearby, high radiation levels locally and worldwide, were all the
ingredients of a huge disaster.
Contents:
- Fighting
the Fire
- Firefighters were the first emergency personnel on the scene
- About 30 rough fires had to be extinguished, including fires on the roof
of Reactor No. 3 which was still running
- Evacuation
- When radiation levels began to reach extreme highs, the order was given
to evacuate cities, towns and villages near the damaged reactor
- Sarcophagus
- A concrete and steel coffin was constructed around the radioactive
reactor to prevent further contamination of the environment
- Clean-up
Efforts
- Radioactive particles had to be cleaned from buildings and roads
- Many movable objects were buried in concrete pits
- Medical
Response
- The medical on-site response was minimal
- The nurses station at the site was found deserted and even locked