More than a hundred firefighters are still fighting embers in the radioactive area around the damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Chernobyl (dpa) - In Ukraine, the extinguishing work in the radioactive area around the damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant has not yet been completed.
With the help of helicopters, more than 500 firefighters are fighting isolated embers, as the disaster control announced on Wednesday. However, there are no longer open sources of fire. Almost 160 kilometers of fire protection aisles were pulled. According to satellite photos, a total of 10,500 hectares had burned down. Rain had ensured extinguishing success.
On Tuesday, the authorities had announced for the first time that all flames in the radioactive forests had been extinguished. Later, however, there was conflicting information about it.
Health Minister Maxim Stepanow warned that there were more fire particles in the air due to the fire. He advised people with chronic illnesses to "restrict their walking on the street in the morning". Then the concentration in the air is greatest. "Drink more water, wipe your rooms damp. This is very important for your health."
There have been fires in the uninhabited areas several times in recent years. Arson was always suspected as the cause. After the explosion of unit four in the then Soviet nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in 1986, radioactive areas around the nuclear ruins were closed. Tens of thousands of people have been forcibly relocated. The area is now accessible to guided tourists.
Communication on civil protection, Ukrainian
