Since the Chernobyl nuclear power plant’s reactor burst in 1986, many children in Belarus, just across the Ukrainian border, have been suffering from chronic radiation sickness. They’ve returned to school after yet another summer of being unable to escape contamination due to pandemic border restrictions
Inspired by the popular TV series and a tourism initiative proposed by Ukraine’s president, more tourists are visiting the Chernobyl exclusion zone than ever. Alongside the official guided tours, the abandoned area has also seen a rising number of illegal visitors entering at their own risk